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PRELIMINARY REPORT 



OF THE 



California Historical 
Survey Commission 



FEBRUARY, 1917 




CALIFOB>nA STATE PRINTING OFFICE 
SACRAMENTO 

19 17 



PRELIMINARY REPORT 



OF THE 



California Historical 
Survey Commission 



FEBRUARY, 1917 




California 

State Printing Office 

Sacramento 



27680 



.C,7 



©• Of D. 
APR 3 1917 



CONTENTS. 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT— page. 

History and ORGANIZATIO^' of the Commission 9 

Purpose and Method of Work 10 

Activities of the Commission 11 

County archives 11 

Archive science 11 

Historical value of archives 12 

County archives examined 13 

Documents in private hands 14 

Other public archives 14 

Public libraries and collections 14 

Pioneer reminiscences 15 

Newspaper files 15 

Other historical sources 16 

Administration of funds 16 

Reports of the Commission 17 

Publication of reports and documents 17 

Public appreciation : IS 

AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF THE ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY 
clerk- 
General Provisions 21 

Court Records 22 

History and organization 22 

Description of the records 26 

Supervisors' Records : 29 

History and powers 29 

Description of the records 31 

Miscellaneous Records 33 

OflBce routine and general duties 34 

Marriage and public health 35 

Naturalization 37 

Registration 39 

Elections 43 

Relating to private business 45 

Relating to other officers 46 

SAMPLE ARCHIVE REPORTS— 

Introduction 53 

HuMBOLT County — 

Introduction 54 

Archives of the clerk 55 

Archives of the recorder 00 

Archives of the superintendent of schools 62 

Archives of the auditor 64 

Archives of the treasurer 65 

Archives of the assessor 6.5 

Archives of the tax collector 66 

City and County of San Francisco — 

Archives of the recorder 67 

MAP SHOWING COUNTY ARCHIVES EXAMINED 49 



LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. 



To His Excellency , 

IIiRAM W. Johnson, Governor, 
Sacramento, California. 
Sir: Herewith is presented the report of the California Historicnl 
Survey Commission, giving an account of its work from the date of 
organization, October 9, 1915, to December 1, 1916. 
Respectfully sul)niitted, 

JOHN F. DAVIS, Chairman. 

herbert e. bolton. 
ja:\ies m. guinn. 

Owen C. Coy, Secretary and Archivist. 
San Francisco. Januarv 4, 1917. 



2— 276S0 



PART I. 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 

History and Organization of the Commission. 

On June 12, 1915, the Governor gave his ai)i)roval to an aet by which 
there was created a state commission having as its purpose the making 
of a survey of kx-al historical material in the state of California. By 
this action our eonniionwealth was placed among those progressive 
states which, by legislative enactment and appropriation, have shown 
tliemselves actively' interested in the discovei-y and preservation of 
documents relating to their local history. Long ago the older Atlantic 
states saw the importance of collecting and pu])lishing documents relat- 
ing to their colonial and early state history, while during recent years 
the states of the South and ^Middle West have taken up similar work. 

The statute creating the California Historical Survey Commission 
reads as follows: 

Section 1. There is hereby e.stablished a California historical 
survey' commission composed of three members to be chosen as 
hereinafter provided. 

Sec. 2. The members of this commission shall be appointed by 
the Governor of the state of California ; provided, only that one of 
the members of said commission shall ])e nominated by board of 
regents of the University of California, and that one of the mem- 
bers of said commission shall be nominated by the board of grand 
officei-s of the order of Native Sons of the Golden West ; all nomina- 
tions, however, shall be subject to approval by the Governor. 

Sec. 3. The commissioners tirst named shall be appointed for 
terms ending July 1, 1916. and their successors shall be appointed 
for a term of two years; the said commi.ssioners to serve without 
salary. 

Sec. 4. The purpose of this commission shall be to make a survey 
of the material on local history within the state of California by 
investigating documents in local depositories and in the possession 
of private individuals and other sources of original information 
on the early history of the state of California and to compile and 
keep a record of such sources of information. 

Sec. 5. This commission shall have power to organize the work 
of the commission ; to appoint such assistants as it shall deem 
necessary and to fix their compensation ; and to spend such other 
moneys a.s it may deem advisable, but no expenditure of money by 
the commission shall exceed the amount appropriated by this act ; 
to make and enforce rules governing this commission and to do 
such other things as shall be necessary to carry out the provisions 
and the purpose of this act. 

Sec. 6. This connni.*sion shall meet at such times and i)laces 
within the state of California, as may be expedient and neces.sary 
for the pro]ier iiorformance of its duties, such times and i)la('('s to 
be designalcd and determined by this com7ni.s.sion. 

Sec. 7. The sum of ten thousand dollars or so much thereof 
as may be nece.s.sary, is hereby appropriated out of any money in 



10 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

the state treasury, not otherwise appropriated, to be expended in 
accordance with law for the purposes of this act. 

In accordance witli the provisions of tlie act the menihers of the 
commission were appointed as follows : Jolni F. Davis, then (xrand 
President of the Native Sons of the Golden West, San Francisco ; 
Herbert E. Bolton, Pi'ofessor of American History in the University of 
California, Berkeley; and James ^I. Gninn. Secretary and Cnratoi- of 
the Southern California Historical Society, Los Angeles. 

The organization of the commi.ssion was completed at a meeting of its 
members held in San Francisco. October 9, 1915, at which time Com- 
missioner John F. Davis was chosen chairman and Owen C. Coy, of 
Berkeley, appointed to the position of secretary and archivist and 
entrusted with tlie general supervision of the field work of the com- 
mission. An advisory committee of persons chosen on account of their 
recognized ability' and experience in dealing Avith the materials of Cali- 
fornia history was also named. The members of this committee are: 
Dr. H. IMorse Stephens. Sather Professor of History at the University 
of California. Berkeley ; Dr. Ephraim D. Adams, Professor of History 
at Stanford University, Palo Alto ; Rev. Joseph jM. Gleason. Member of 
the American Historical Association, Palo Alto ; Dr. Rockwell D. Hunt, 
Professor of Economics and History at the University of Southern 
California, Los Angeles; Mrs. Margaret V. Allen, Secretary of the 
Pioneer and Historical Society, San Diego ; Dr. Charles E. Chapman, 
Assistant Professor of California History at the LTniversity of Cali- 
fornia, Berkeley; Miss Eudora Garoutte, C-alifornia Department, State 
Librarx-, Sacramento; aiul ]Mr. Charles B. Tui'rill. San Francisco. 

Purpose and Method of the Work. 

Althougli i1 may l)e unnecessary to make mention of the I'act, never- 
theless in the interest of a clear understanding of the work it slionid l)e 
said that the Historical Survey Commi.ssion is not writing a history of 
the state Jior is it engaged in the collection of historical documents. Its 
work as set forth in section 4 of the act creating the commission is 
to investigate documents and to compile and keep a report of such 
sources of information as may be found in local depositories, in the 
possession of individuals, or elsewhere relating to the early history of 
this state. Accordingly the commission has taken up a careful survey 
of the )'ecords of tlie various ccMuity ai'chives of the state, and it is hoped 
as soon as this is completed to extend the work to the archives of the 
state and to the local federal offices. At the same time reports are 
being gathercnl from the ])ublic lihi-aries of the state and the extensive 
collections owned by historical societies, and other institutions. Docu- 
ments in the possession of private individuals are being listed as fast as 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 11 

tiiiio and resources permit. Other sources of ori.^iiuil information are 
also beinf? investigated, among them being early newspaper files, the 
records of religious and social institutions and of business concerns. 

Since the members of the connnission are asked to serve entirely with- 
out salary, the general administration of the commission falls largely 
to its secretary and archivist, assisted l)y the various field workers. Of 
these latter, Mrs. ]\Iary M. liowman, of Los Angeles, has been engaged 
almost exclusively in ivportiug upon nuiterials owned by the older fam- 
ilies of soutiu'rn Califcu'nia. During the summer months several men 
of experience in dealing with historical documents were employed to 
assist with the field work, aiul during the month of September, i\lr. R. S. 
Kuykeudall, of Santa Clara, a nuin of ability and historical training, 
was appointed a regular field assistant. In addition to the work of 
those definitely employed and paid by the connnission, mention should 
be made of the hearty support and assistance given by the many friends 
of local Calif oi-nia history without whose cooperation the work of the 
commission mu.st necessarily be greatly handicapped. 

Activities of the Commission. 

County Archives. Up to the present time one of the chief features 
of the work has been in connection with the records in the county 
archives, which are being examined from three distinct points of view. 
In the first place a careful survey is being made of the records and 
documents in the various offices, with the object of determining their 
historical value and suggesting how they may be employed by students 
of the social sciences. In this manner everj?^ set of records or docu- 
ments is examined and listed by the proper title, and the number of 
volumes or documents noted. A careful study is also being made of 
those parts of the .statutes and codes which deal with these records, the 
results of which study will be wet forth in the introduction to the 
archive re|)()i't and will, it is believed, constitute a valuable treatise 
upon the history and contents of the public records, of value alike to the 
research worker and to the keeper of these records. During the fourteen 
months since the commission was organized the survey has already been 
extended over forty of the counties of the state and the recoi-ds of 
nearly thi-ee hundred offices have been examined and listed. Almost 
without exception the investigators have been received with the utmost 
courtesy by the local officials, who have granted free access to the 
records and have in many ca.ses assisted personall\- in the work. 

Archive Science. In oi-dcr to apply the i)rinciples of archive 
science, this commission, in common with similar bodies in other states, 
is making a .study, not only of 1he records contained in the public 



12 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

offices, but also of the conditions connected with their form and preser- 
vation. ThiLs far too little attention has been given to this subject. 
While some of the county courthouses are undoubtedly fireproof, the 
greater number are only partially so. and many are veritable fire 
traps. Furthermore, while it is a felony for an official to destroy any 
public record entrusted to his care, an investigation of the courthouses 
will show that many records of value to the research worker, often 
involving even such vital matters as land titles, are being crowded into 
damp basements, dusty, mice-infested attics, or into outbuildings used 
for wood, oil, and even gasoline. It should, however, be said that in 
cases where the commission has brought these matters to the attention of 
the officials, boards of supervisors, or grand juries, prompt action has 
usually been taken to remedy the evil. Again, while it is undoubtedly 
true that all public officials are interested in seeing that the paper, ink, 
and other materials used in the records are of good quality, yet the 
average man does not possess the technical knowledge necessary for 
making proper tests along this line. The commission is gathering data 
and before the survey is complete expects to make a scientific examina- 
tion of these materials and embody the results of the investigation in 
its final report. The enthusiastic manner in which this, as well as 
other features of the work, are received ]>y the officers shows that its 
value is at once recognized. 

Historical Value of Archives. Space does not permit a recital of 
the many facts of historical value to be found in the archives of our 
public offices. In many of the older counties records have been dis- 
covered that far antedate the organization of the .state government. 
These are in many cases the records relating to land claims under the 
Spani.sh or Mexican governments, but in some of the counties they are 
)nu('h more extensive, dealing with tlie entire loeal administrative 
.system. In IMouterey County an interesting volume entitled "Official 
Consular Acts of T. O. Larkin" were discovered. The greater i)art of 
the volume is devoted to a record of the titles of property owned by 
Larkin or his family, but the earlier pages are given over exclusively 
to a record of his official acts and illustrates very clearly the varied 
nature of his dutias. The time of transition from Mexican rule to the 
organized state government, was one of the most difficult ])eriods of 
California history, yet in numy of the counties are to l)e found alcaldes' 
books, records of the Ayuntamientos, and of the Courts of First In- 
stance, as well as other documents which throw valuable light upon the 
events of these years. 

For the period since 1850 the records are practically complete, and 
for the most part uniform in the various counties ; yet the missing 
volumes, the variation in title and in the methods of keeping the records 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 13 

call for clo.se attcnlioii. It will be uniiece.ssaiy here 1o ^ive a more 
complete account of the liislorical value of these local ai'chives as that 
matter will he fully illustrated in a later part of this report. To ex- 
press it briefly, they may bC said to contain the framework of historical 
fact around which the sul)stantial structure of California's political, 
economic, and social history nuist be erected. 

County Archives Examined. As stated elsewhere, the archive work 
of the commission lias been completed in more than forty countias of the 
state. In the southern counties the archives have been in nearly all 
cases examined and listed. Los Angeles and San Diego counties have 
been worked with good results by the secretary and archivist, while San 
Bernardino. Riverside and Oraniic comities, as well as Santa Barbara 
and Ventura counties were covered by assistants during the summer 
months. The San Joacpiiu Valley counties, including San Joaquin, 
Stanislaus, Merced. Madera. Fresno, Kings, Tulare, and Kern, were in 
like manner covered by the secretary and assistants during the s]n'ing 
and summer months of 1916. In the vicinity of San Francisco Bay 
and south, this work has been completed in Alameda, Contra Costa, 
San Mateo, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, San Benito, ^lonterey and San 
Luis Obispo counties, many of these yielding good results in the older 
records. Among the mountain counties the work was pushed rapidly 
during the more pleasant sunnner months and practically all of these 
have now been reported upon, viz: Inyo, ^lono, jMariposa, Tuolumne, 
Calaveras, El Dorado, Placer, Sierra, Plumas, Lassen, ]\Iodoc, Siskiyou 
and Tehama. The north bay counties have been worked as follows: 
Marin, Sonoma, Mendocino and Humboldt. The counties in the Sacra- 
mento Valley, with the exception of Butte, and the counties just north of 
San Francisco Bay have as yet not been covered in this survey, largely 
due to the fact that the aim has been to work the more distant or 
inaccessible districts first. The work is, however, now being centered 
in this territory and before the spring is over it is expected that the 
archives of these counties will also be in form to be reported. In a 
similar manner, Trinity, Del Norte, and Nevada counties are being 
reserved for special attention as soon as opportunity offers, and the 
offices of the city and county of San Francisco are likewise being 
examined. While the archive report has been given first consideration 
in each of the counties covered, attention has also been given to the 
discovery of any other classes of material embraced in the work of this 
survey. It is planned to have field work for the report on the county 
archives completed during the next few weeks, attention then being 
directed more especially to the report on California newspaper files and 
other lines of investigation. In order, however, that the energies of the 
commission may not be dissipated along too many lines, it has been 

3-27C80 



14 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

thought desirable to make oue feature of the work predoniiuaut at a 
time; thus far particuhir stress has been hiid upon tlie investigation of 
the county areliives. 

Other Public Archives. In conjunction with the survey of county 
archives, an examination is ])eing made of the records of the United 
States hind offices and other local federal offices. The do;-uments con- 
tained in these depositories have been found most valuable in tracing 
the settlement of the state, as seen in the administration of bind matters 
and other similar activities of the general government. 

Public Libraries and Collections. In addition to these depositories 
of official records, there nnist also be noted the larger collections of his- 
torical materials contained in the public libraries or in the hands of 
local historical societies. There are within the state several collections 
which are of particular importance to the student of California history. 
Among these should be mentioned the State Library at Sacramento, the 
Bancroft Collection at Berkeley, the Sutro Collection, and that of the 
Golden Gate Park iMuseum, both of San Francisco. Since these col- 
lections are fairly well known and there is little danger tbat the mater- 
ials they contain will be destroyed or removed, and since, on the other 
hand, the task of listing them would entail great expense in time and 
money, they have not thus far been included in the work of our survey. 
But no survey of California historical materials can afford to leave 
them out of consideration. The collection of the Southern California 
Historical Society at Los Angeles has been examined and its contents 
listed. In a similar manner the Coronel Collection, also in Los Angeles, 
and the collection of the San Diego Pioneer and Historical Society are 
soon to be reported. ]\Iuch material of historical value has also been 
discovered in local pidilic libraries. 

Documents in Private Hands. The next class of materials to be 
coiisidercd includes the great mass of miscellaneous documents in the 
possession of private individuals. The w'ork in this field is by far the 
most difficult thus far taken up by the commission. For, to the popular 
ignorance as to what constitutes an historical document must be added 
a natural indifference to the work and a fear lest some action be taken 
to remove the document from the possession of its present owner. But 
in spite of the difficulties, many valuable documents have been dis- 
covered and in many eases transcribed for the future use of the com- 
mission. Among the collections of this class already examined, should 
be mentioned the private papei^s of the late Senator Bard, of Ventura 
County, and the Palomares and Variel collections in Los Angeles. The 
former contains much valuable material upon the development of the 
oil industry in California, while the two latter contain manv most valu- 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 15 

able Spanish tlociinu'iits. Otlier colli'ctions of gi'cat vjiliic have already 
1)0011 locatod and will be listed within a short tinu\ 

AVhile a nuinhor of large eoUeitions liave thus lieen located, the 
greater part of the material in private hands so far discovered is made 
up of isolated documents or manii8cript,s possessed b}- individuals or 
families. It is pi-ohahly unnecessary to state that these are often of. 
unique value. Among the many documents thus far discovered may be 
mentioned the old dayliook of the firm of Shannon & Cady, at Coloma, 
the place of the famous gold discovery, which gives exeelieni illustra- 
tions of the high cost of living during the spring of 1849; the diary of 
Mrs. ('. S. Ricks, affording an excellent i)icture of the social life of San 
Francisco and Eureka during 1858 and 1854; and the journals of ]Mr. 
Stephen Fowler, while on a whaling cruise in the Pacific in 1845—46, 
and again as a gold seeker in ralifornia during 1840 and the early 
fifties. 

Pioneer Reminiscences. The gathering of personal memoirs aiul 
reminiscences is another field of operation closely associated with the 
one just considered. Thider the personal supervision of the secretary of 
the commission a number of the older residents of the Humboldt Bay 
region were interviewed and their reminiscences recorded. In several 
cases valuable information was obtained in this way. but experience 
shows that notwithstanding the seeming great value of these stories of 
pioneers, they are, in fact, extremely untrustwortby as historical evi- 
dence and, unless the questioner is already familiar with the main facts, 
he is very apt to be led astray, the result being a hopeless mixture of 
historical facts and worthless fiction. However, as opportunity is 
offered, it will be the purpose of the commission to secure from the 
pioneers such statement whenever it appears that they will be especially 
trustworthy. The main rc^liance for information of this character 
luuiit, however, be placed iu contemporary diaries, j(mrnals, and letters, 
or in memoirs written by the pioneers in years now past. 

Newspaper Files. In addition to the kinds of malei-ial already 
mentioned in this rei)oi't, there are one or two other classes which 
should be considereil. Experience has shown that in dealing with local 
history one of the most valuable sources of information is the local news- 
paper file. In view of this fact the commission is taking up as ])art of 
its regular work tlie compilation of a directory of newspaper files, in 
which will \)o rei)orted the name of each paper which has been published 
in a comnninity. togothor with a brief historical note and a complete 
list of the places whore fih's of the jiaper may be found. This work is 
being done largely by correspondence with the papers of the state, most 
of which give the desiroil information promptly. Wlienever it is possi- 
ble this data is then checked up by the field workers, who are constantly 



16 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

on the alert for files of old papers around the newspaper offices, public 
libraries, and coiiiily archives. The large amount of this material in 
private hands, together with the great niimbei: of newspapers now no 
longer published, makes this a difficult task, but we believe its impor- 
tance justifies the effort necessary to carry it to completion. 

Other Historical Sources. There are also many other lines of work 
awaiting the attention of this commission. Upon some of these a begin- 
ning has already been made, while others must wait until a more favor- 
able opportunity offers. The records of the religious organizations 
contain very valua])le and interesting information regarding the 
development of that phase of the state's historj'. Father Zephyrin 
Engelhardt, the historian of the Franciscan missions, has offered his 
assistance in making a report upon the archives of the missions, which 
played such an important role in the early period of California's 
hi.story. In a similar manner, Father J. ISl. Gleason, of Palo Alto, 
a member of the advisory committee of the commission, has already 
taken in hand the tabulation of a report upon the archives of the 
Diocese of San Francisco, and it is hoped to extend this work later 
to include the local church records as well. Among the Protestant 
denominations a beginning has also been made. News items and editor- 
ial appeals in denominational papers, together with resolutions endors- 
ing the work adopted by the annual conferences of these organizations, 
have prepared the way for good results as soon as the work can be taken 
up more effectively. Closely allied to these records are those of 
fraternal and social organizations, which may later be reported in a 
similar manner. 

Administration of Funds. Notwithstanding that the appropriation 
granted to this commission w^as small in comparison with the task before 
it, strict economy has made it possible to accomplish much during the 
few months since the work was actually begun. The overhead expenses 
of the commi.ssion have been kept down to the minimum, since arrange- 
ments have been made whereby office rent and many other incidental 
expenses have been eliminated. During the first twelve mouths the 
operating expenses of this commission have amounted to $4,929.30, 
divided as follows : Salary of secretar}- and assistants, $3,926.97 ; travel- 
ling expenses, $853.05; printing, $76.48; postage, $40.00; telephone, 
$2.63; express, $5.57; supplies, etc., $25.60. Thus it will be seen that 
the two items absorbing most of the funds are for salaries and traveling 
expenses, in considering which it should also be remembered that the 
members of the commi.ssion serve without salary, and that the secretary 
and archivist of the commission devotes a large portion of his time to 
field work. The funds thus are being used in so far as possible for the 
actual work of extending the survey into all parts of the state. 



INTRODUCTORY STATEMENT. 17 

Reports of the Commission. 
The complete report of this commission will probably comprise 
several volumes, arranged according to the classes of material considered. 
The results of the surve}' of the county archives will occupy at least one 
volume, in whk-h will be given the list of records or documents found 
in the various county offices of the state, together with an introduction 
disclosing the results of the application of archive science to local con- 
ditions, and a historical analysis of the contents of the more important 
offices. The report upon the files of California newspapers will un- 
doubtedly necessitate the compilation of a separate volume devoted 
to that phase of the work. The number of volumes occupied by the 
report upon the other material investigated by the commission will 
depend upon the amount of material discovered. In this present pre- 
liminary report no attempt is made to cover the whole field of research 
taken up, but it is presented merely to illustrate various phases of the 
work connected with the survey of the county archives. For this pur- 
pose tlie rei>ort is divided into three parts, including this general intro- 
duction. In the second part is given an historical analysis of the 
archives of the county clerk. In the third i)art is a full report on the 
archives of Humboldt County, which will serve both as a sample of the 
form of the report, and also as an illustration of the contents of the 
archives of a county in which the records have been well preserved. 
The report upon the contents of the office of the Recorder of the City 
and County of San Francisco, which is also given, has been selected for 
two reasons: F'irst. to illustrate the method of reporting upon material 
antedating the formation of the state government; and second, to 
show the value of the work of the connnission in cases where a large 
part of the recoi-ds have been destroyed. 

Publication of Reports and Documents. 

The various features of the work of the commission thus far taken 
up or at present under consideration have been discussed in the earlier 
paragraphs. That the results of its investigation should be made acces- 
sible to the public in the form of published reports has been presumed 
as a matter of course, and the plan of the commission regarding the 
form of these reports has been set forth, notwithstanding the fact that 
the statute creating the commission does not specifically give it this 
poM^er. It is therefore desirable that provision should be made for 
this cither by amending the act or by means of supplementary legisla- 
tion. A elosely allied field of activity relates to the publication of the 
text of historical documents. This is one of the chief features of the 
work of the historical commissions or societies in most of the eastern 
states, and liberal appropriations are made for it. Already in this 



18 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

state many documents of unique value have been discovered in the 
possession of private individuals or in local depositories. When these 
exist only in the original manuscript, as is usually the case, they are not 
only practically inaccessible to the public, but are constantly in danger 
of being destroyed and so forever lost. In some cases of this kind the 
commission has had. the documents transcribed with a view of having 
them published later in one of its reports. It is recommended, therefore, 
that the commis.si(Ui Ix' authorized to take up the matter of the publi- 
cation of such documents, and that a reasonable apj)i'opriati()n l)e made 
to cover the expense thereof. 

Public Appreciation. 

This report would not be complete without at least a brief recognition 
of the assistance rendered by the citizens, officials, and local newspapers 
of the state. "Wherever the investigations of the commission have been 
carried on the reception given ])y the citizens and officials has been 
enthusiastic and loyal. 

In an especial manner should the patriotic order of the Native Sons 
of the Golden West be commended for its service to the state both at the 
very beginning of this movement and later by adding to its efficiency 
through the activities of its local ])arlors. The newspapers of the 
state have also lieen heartily in support of the work both through news 
items and editorial commendation. ]\Ir. Clarence M. Hunt, editor of the 
Grizzly B<ar, has generously given space in the issues of that periodical 
for reports of the activities of the commission ; while the great number 
of newspapers in the state, ])oth daily and weekly, denominational as 
well as secular, have rendered most valuable assistance in bringing the 
w(U'k to the attention of the pul)lic. The value of all this to the 
work of the commission is twofold. In the first place the material 
assistance rendered is indispensable to its .success, while the hearty sup- 
port and words of appreciation confirm our belief that the work in hand 
is of much importance and that the final repoi-ts of the commission will 
be received by the pulilic as contributions of great value. 



PART II. 

AN HISTORICAL ANALYSIS 

OF THE ARCHIVES 

OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 



ARCHIVES OP THE COUNTY CLERK. 21 

RECORDS OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 

General Provisions. 

The records under the custody of the county clerk constitute the 
most important eollection in the archives of the counties, the only 
possible exception beinj^' the archives of the county recorder, which for 
land titles and similar matters are most valuable. To a person 
unfamiliar with the duties of the county clerk, or with the titles of the 
various records kept in his office, the great bulk and manifold kinds of 
records is apt at first to prove bewildering. In order to aid such a 
person to become somewhat acquainted with the duties of the office and 
with the contents of its archives the following analysis is here presented. 
This preliminary account is based almost entirely upon the provisions 
of the statutes or codes, Avhicli in many cases have been folloAved 
literally. In the later report, however, it is planned to publish a more 
thorough and critical analysis of the archives, based more largely upon 
the actual working conditions. It is hoped that to the person not yet 
familiar with the arehives of the county elerk this may prove a helpful 
introduction, wiiile to the overworked official this assembling of much 
scattered information, together with the frequent references to the 
statutes and codes, may also be of value as a convenient manual. 

The records of the county clerk have been divided into three main 
divisions, corresponding to the classes of duties performed by that 
office. These divisions are as follows: I, Court records; II, Supervisors' 
records; and III, Miscellaneous records. Under the first division will 
be found a brief historical account of the various courts of which the 
county clerk has by law been made the clerk, together with a descrip- 
tion of the various records kept by the courts. The second division 
includes all those records kept by the county clerk in his capacity as 
elerk of the board of supervisors. The thii'd division is nuich less easily 
defined, but includes all other records kept by the county clerk, for 
many of his duties can not be considered as falling to him either as a 
clerk of the court or as clerk of the county board. In some cases these 
records might be capable of dififerent classification, but since a rear- 
rangement would lead to other complications it has l)een thought best 
to maintain their place in this miscellaneous group. 

The earliest act prescribing the duties of the county clei-k was passed 
by the first legislature April 18, 1850, and stated that they were to be 
as follows^ : He was ex officio clerk of the district court, court of 
sessions and probate court of his county; he was empowered to admin- 
ister oaths and to receive bonds; was required to attend each term of the 



'Cal. stats., 1850, 261-2. 
4—27680 



22 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

county court and the other courts of the county ; to keep an office at the 
county seat and "take charge of and safely keep or dispose of according 
to law all books, papers and records which may be filed or deposited in 
his office." A further section sets forth that he was to issue all writs, 
etc., enter all orders, judgments and decrees proper to be entered in 
the minutes; to keep a docket of each court in which he was to make 
certain specified entries ; and was to keep such other books or records as 
might be prescribed bj^ law or by the rules of the court. 

A few unimportant amendments were made before 1872, when the 
duties of the clerk were outlined in the Political Code.^ The first paria- 
graph reiterated the provision regarding the safe-keeping of all records, 
books and papers filed or deposited in his office ; the second declared 
that he was to act as the clerk of the board of supervisors, district, 
county and probate courts and attend each term of them and upon the 
judges in their chambers when required; third, that he was to issue all 
processes and notices required to be issued and to keep for each court a 
docket ; fourth, he was to keep an index of all suits in the district and 
county courts. Among his duties were also included the keeping of 
such other records and duties as may be prescribed by law. 

Since that time the changes made in the code have been of little 
importance.^ In 1907 the code was rearranged and the sections cited 
replaced by sections 4178 and 4179, but these did little more than to 
incorporate the old provisions. Since 1872 the older courts had given 
way to the superior court with a consequent change in the title of the 
clerk's records.^ 

Court Records. 

HISTORY AND ORGANIZATION OF THE COURTS. 

District Court. At the time the state was first organized and for 
thirty years thereafter the judicial affairs of the counties were adminis- 
tered by three, and, for a part of the time, four separate courts. These 
were the district court, county court, probate court and the court of 
sessions. The highest of these was the district court. The state was 
divided into nine judicial districts. The district judges held court at 
the various county seats of their districts at certain specified dates. The 
jurisdiction of the court was original in all cases of law and equity and 
civil cases where tlie amount exceeded $200; and in all criminal cases 
not otherwise provided for ; it covered all issue of facts in probate cases ; 
and all cases of real propert3\ The county -clerk was ex officio clerk 
of the court. 



'Pol. Code (1872), §§4204-4205. 

=Stats. and Amend, to Codes, ISSO : 102 ; 1883 : 323 ; 1S91 : 322 ; 1893 : 374 ; 1897 : 482. 

"Stats, and Amend, to Codes, 1907:404. 



ARCHIVES OF TIIR COUNTY CLKRK. 23 

By the act of March 11, 1851, the ii umber of districts was increased 
to eleven, the term of the judges fixed at six years, and the court given 
appellate jurisdiction over the county court, and the court of sessions 
in criminal matters.^ 

The number of districts varied, there being fifteen in 1855, reduced 
to fourteen in 1863. In the year 1863 the district court was given 
jurisdiction over cases involving the legality of any tax, impost, assess- 
ment, toll or municipal fine.- 

In an act approved April 4, 1864, the matter of tax suits was much 
more fully considered. It provided that all actions for the collection of 
taxes on real estate wherein an order of sale was sought by the plaintiff 
should be heard in the district court of the proper county. For the 
keeping of the records regarding these suits the clerk of the court might 
be required to procure books as follows : an index book ; a register of 
actions; an order book; and a decree book.^ 

This court also had jurisdiction in matters of naturalization, but since 
the records in reference to this are considered later under that head 
in the "Miscellaneous Records of the Clerk," no further mention will 
be made here. Under the constitution of 1879 the district court was 
discontinued, its jurisdiction within each county being given to the 
superior court of that county.* 

County Court. By action of the first legislature a county court 
was established in each county, under the supervision of the county 
judge. Four regular sessions were to be held annually for the trial of 
appeals from the justices of the peace and such special cases as might 
be pending. The county judge was empowered to issue writs of habeas 
corpus and as conservator of the peace of the county could exercise all 
the powers of the justices of the peace as conservators of the peace. 
He was given jurisdiction over probate matters, and was required to 
hold a session of court for the hearing of such matters on the first 
Monday of each month. He was also given power to issue writs of 
injunction, mandamus, attachment and all other writs and processes 
known to the law. The county clerk was clerk of this court.^ 

In 1851 a general law was passed concerning the courts of justice of 
the state which repealed all previous laws on the subject. Under the 
new law the county court continued as before to have jurisdiction in 
lesser civil cases, except that its probate jurisdiction was given to a new 
probate court which was created, the county judge being, however, the 
judge of this new court. The appellate jurisdiction of the court 

'Cal. stats. 1850: 93-96; 1851: 31-32. 
=Cal. Stats. 1855:117; 1863:335. 
»Cal. Stats. 1863-4:399, 400. 
*Cal. Stats. 1880: 21. 
»Cal. Stats. 1850: 217. 



24 REPORT OF HISTORICAIi SURVEY COMMISSION, 

included judgments rendered in civil cases in justice's or recorder's 
courts in the county, extended in 1853 to include also mayor's courts. 
In 1863 the court of sessions was abolished and its criminal jurisdiction 
given to the county courts.*^ Under the constitution of 1879 this court 
was discontinued, being superseded by the superior court.'^ 

Probate Court. The act of the legislature by which the county 
courts were created gave to those courts jurisdiction over probate 
matters, except that issues of fact joined in the probate court were to 
be tried in the district court. For the transaction of pfol){ite business 
the county judge was to liold a tenii of \hv. (Mnirt on tlu; (irst IMunday 
of every month.'* 

In 1851 a distinct court was created, to be known as the probate 
court, the county judge being made judge of this court. Its jurisdic- 
tion was similar to that formerly exercised by the county court over 
probate business." Regarding issues of fact, it was required that in 
certain cases they should on request of either party be tried in the 
district court, but might by consent of parties be tried in the probate 
court. Appeals were also allowed to the district court from the deci- 
sions of the probate court.^° 

In 1864 an amendment to the law of 1851 allowed appeals to the 
supreme court from decisions of the probate court. In 1868 the sections 
regarding trial of issues of fact were amended so as to require these 
issues to be tried by a jurj^ in the probate court instead of in the district 
court. As thus amended the provisions for the probate court were 
incorporated in the Code of Civil Procedure in 1872.^^ The probate 
court was discontinued in 1880, being superseded by the superior court, 
in accordance with the provisions of the constitution of 1879.^- 

Probate Records. There is great diversity in the methods of keep- 
ing the probate records, depending somewhat upon the size of the 
counties. This department, in common with the others, has a calendar, 
docket, index, file, register of actions and minutes. With the latter 
are included orders of the court. The larger offices have a great 
number of form books for entering orders, but all the volumes of 
minutes and orders are usually numbered consecutively in one series. 
In the probate department are also found volumes in which are recorded 
letters of administration and guardianship, in several different forms, 
guardians' inventories and appraisements, wills admitted to probate, 
and the records regarding the collateral inheritance tax. 

»Cal. Stats. 1851 : 17 ; 1853 : 293 ; 1863 : 336. 
■Cal. Stats. 1880: 21. 
sCal. Stats. 1850: 217, 94. 
»Cal. Stats. 1851 : 22. 

'oCal. Stats. 1851:486; 1855:132, 300; 1861:630, 654. 

"Cal. Stats. 1863-4:375; 1867-8:628; Code of Civ. Pioc. (1872), §§94-100; 059- 
671 ; 1312 ; 1716. 

"Cal. Stats. 1880: 21. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 25 

Court of Sessions. By act of the leg-islatnro in 1850 a court of 
record styled the court of sessions was organized in each county of the 
state, composed of the county judge and two justices of the peace, the 
county clerk being clerk of this court. IMeetings Avere to be held every 
other month and their business was divided into two kinds known as 
criminal jurisdiction and county business. The criminal jurisdiction 
of the court of sessions extended to all cases of assault, assault and bat- 
tery, breach of the peace, riot, affray, petit larceny and misdemeanors 
punishable by fine not over $500 or three months imprisonment. In 
addition to this criminal jurisdiction the court supplied the place later 
taken by the board of supervisors. The two kinds of business were radi- 
calh^ different and the clerk was required to keep a separate set of min- 
utes and records for eaeh.^-' The records relating to county business 
are considered under the records of the board of supervisors. 

An act of ]\rarch 11. 1851, repealed the former law but embodied most 
of its features in the new act. Its jurisdiction here given was: (1) to 
inquire, by the intervention of a grand jur}^, of all public offenses 
committed or triable in the county; (2) to try and determine indict- 
ments found tlierein, for all public offenses except murder, man- 
slaughter and arson; (3) to hear and determine appeals from the 
justice's, recorder's and mayor's courts in cases of a criminal nature.^* 
In 1863 the court of sessions was discontinued and its criminal juris- 
diction given to the county court. ^^ 

The Superior Court. In 1880 the present system of superioi- courts 
came into l)cing in accordance with the terms of the constitution 
adopted the year preceding. These courts succeeded to the jurisdiction 
of the district courts, county courts and probate courts. There is in 
each county of the state a superior court, for each of which one or more 
judges are elected by tlie qualified electors of the comity. ^''' As now 
existing, the work of these courts is divided into three general ela.sses 
for handling: (1) civil and criminal cases. (2) pro])ate matters, and 
(3) the bu.siness of the juvenile court. For each of these divisions a 
separate set of records is kept. 

The Juvenile Court. The Juvenile Court law, approved March 8, 
1909. provided tliat the superior court should exercise the jurisdiction 
conferred by that act. In counties where there Avere more than one 
judge, one Avas to l)e .selected to preside over this court. The sessions 
of the juA'enile court must be held separate from other court sessions, 
and no persons permitted to bo present except such as Avere connected 
with the business of the court. The orders and findiiifrs of the court 



"Cal. stats. 1850: 210. 

»Cal. Stats. 1851: IS. 

"Cal. Stats. 1S63: 337. 346. 

'"Constitution, Art. VI; Code of Civ. Proc. (1915), §§ 65-79. 



26 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

were to be recorded in a "book to be kept for that purpose and known 
as the 'juvenile court record.' "^' The juvenile court law of 1915 
made no change in the provisions cited above except that it requires the 
orders and findings to be entered in a "suitable book or books or other 
form of written record, to be kept for that purpose, and known as the 
juvenile court record. "^^ 



'^Cal. Stats. 1909: 213. 
'«Cal. Stats. 1915: 1225. 

DESCRIPTION OF RECORDS. 

Roll of Attorneys. An act of February 19, 1851, provided that 
admission of attorneys to general practice before all the courts of the 
state should be made by the judges of the supreme court, although the 
judges of the district and county courts might admit to practice in 
their respective courts. The clerk of each court was required to keep 
a roll of attorneys and counsellors at law admitted to practice before 
the court of which he was clerk, which roll the attorney was required 
to sign before he received his license, the roll being a record of the 
court. This arrangement continued in force until the adoption of the 
Code of Civil Procedure in 1872 when the provision regarding the dis- 
trict and county courts was omitted, being restored, however, by an 
amendment to the code in 1874. In 1880 the superior court took the 
place of the district and county courts. In 1895 the provision of 
the code permitting the superior court to admit attorneys to practice in 
that court was again removed, and in 1905 the examination and cer- 
tification of attorneys was made the duty of the judges of the district 
courts of appeal. The clerks of these courts keep a roll of attorneys 
and transmit monthly to the clerk of the supreme court a list of those 
admitted during the month, and the clerk of the supreme court keeps 
a general roll of all attorneys admitted to practice in the state. ^ 

Calendar. A l)ook in which the clei-k enters tlie cases before the 
court according to the date of issue. Under each date of the court 
session the clerk enters the titles of the cases to come before the court 
on that day, and after hearing, a notation showing what disposition was 
made of the case, whether dismissed, continued, etc., and if continued, to 
what date.^ 

Docket. A record book showing the title of each case, date of 
commencement, memorandum of each subsequent proceeding in such 
cause with the date thereof, and list of all fees charged in the cause. In 
the case of criminal action it must show each indictment according to 



'Cal. Stats. 1851:48; C. C. P. (1872), §§276, 2S0; Code Amdts. 1873-4:404; 1880: 
55. 56; Cal. Stats. 1S95 : 56; 1905: 5, 6 ; C. C. P. (1915), §§ 276, 280. 
-Cal. Stats. 1851 : 75 ; Code Civ. Proc, § 593. 



ARCHIVES OP THE COUNTY CLERK. 27 

(lute of filing; whether a felony or misdemeanor and wiicthor the 
defendant be in custody or on bail."' 

Execution Book. An amendment to the Practice act, approved 
April 2, 1866, provided that when an execution shall have been returned 
by the sheriff to the clerk, it shall be the duty of the latter to attach 
the same to the judgment roll. "If any real estate be levied upon, the 
clerk shall record the execution and the return thereto at large, and 
certify the same under his hand as true copies, in a book to be called 
the execution book, which book shall be indexed with the names of the 
plaintiffs and defendants in execution alphabetically arranged."* 

Execution Docket. The act of April 22, 1850, provided (sec. 182) 
that the clerk shall keep an execution docket in which he shall enter an 
abstract of all executions issued by him. setting forth the names of the 
parties, character of the wa'it, amount, if it be for money, date of judg- 
ment with reference to page of record in which it is entered, date of 
execution, officer to whom issued, and return made upon the execution. 
This act was repealed the following year and the new act contained no 
mention of an execution docket, but the record was still kept in some 
counties, in one at least as late as 1901."' 

File of Case Papers. The court file, more technically called the 
judgment roll, contains in civil cases the following papers : First, in 
case the complaint be not answered by the defendant, the summons and 
the affidavit or proof of sei*vice, and the complaint with a memorandum 
endorsed on the complaint that the default of the defendant in not 
ansAvering was entered, together with a copy of the judgment; second, 
in all other ca.ses the summons, pleadings, a copy of the judgment and 
any order.s relating to a change of the parties." In criminal cases the 
file contains, as demanded by the Criminal Tractice act of 1851: (1) a 
copy of the minutes of any challenges which may have been interposed 
by the defendant to the panel of the grand jury, etc.; (2) the indict- 
ment and a copj^ of the minutes of the plea or demurrer; (3) minutes 
with reference to challenges of trial jurors; (4) copy of the minutes 
of the trial; (5) copy of the minutes of the judgment; (6) bill of 
exceptions, if there be one; (7) the written charges asked of the court, 
if there be any. The Penal Code in 1872 added (8) a copy of all 
charges given and of the endorsements thereon. This was amended 
in 187-t and continues in the present Penal Code which says the file 
shall contain: (1) the indictment or information and a copy of the 



'Cal. Stats. 1S50: 262 ; 1851: 247; Pol. Code (1872), § 4204 ; (1915), § 4178. 

*Cal. Stats. 1865-6: 703 ; Code Civ. Proc, § 683. 

"Cal. Stats. 1850:444; 1851:153. 

"Cal. Stats. 1881 : 82 ; Code Civ. Proc, § 670. 



28 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

minutes of the plea or demurrer ; (2) a copy of the minutes of the trial ; 

(3) the Avritten instructions given, modified or refused, and the endorse- 
ments thereon and a certified transcript of the charge of the court; 

(4) a copy of the judgments 

General Index. The clerk is required to keep, in separate volumes, 
an index to all suits. One volume is headed "General Index — Plain- 
tiffs" and has columns for entering the number of the suit, name of 
plaintiff, name of defendant, date of judgment, page of entry in the 
judgment hook, page of minute book of the court. The other volume 
is headed "General Index — Defendants" and has a similar arrange- 
ment of cohunns. The only difference between the two volumes is that 
in the first the names of the plaintiffs are arranged alphabetically, 
while in the second the names of the defendants are so arranged.* 

Insanity Commitments. In 1881 an amendment to section 2217 of 
the Political Code was adopted which requires that the county clerk 
shall keep a copy of the order committing an insane person to an 
insane asylum and shall prepare an index book showing the name, age 
and sex of each person ordered confined in a state hospital for the 
insane, together with the date of the order and the name of the hospital 
in which such person is ordered to he confined.** 

Insanity — Certificates of Discharge. There was added to the 
Political Code in 1903 a provision that when any person is discliarged, 
as recovered, from a state hospital for the insane, a cop.y of the 
certificate of discharge may be filed for record with the clerk of the 
superior court of the county from which said person Avas committed. 
The clerk shall record the same in a l)ook kept for that purpose and shall 
keep an index thereto.^" 

Judgment Book. A l)()ok in which the clci-k is i'»'(|uire(l to ciiter a 
tian.seri|)t in rull of ('ver\- judgment reiulercd l)y the court in a civil 
action. Criminal judgments are placed directly into the minutes. ^^ 

Judgment Docket. A book which the clerk is re(|uire(l to keep, 
having each ])age divided into cohunns headed as follows: Judgment 
debtors ; Judgment creditors ; Judgment ; Time of entry ; Where entered 
in judgment book; Appeals, when taken; Judgment of appellate court; 
Satisfaction of judgment, when entered. In 1007 an amendment 
recpiired an additional column for the date of the entry in tlie docket.^- 



•Cal. Stats. 1851:263; Penal Code (1S72), § 4C2 ; Code AmiUs. lS7n-4:4(n; Penal 
Code (1915), § 1207. 

'^Cal. Stats. 186.3:260; Pol. Code (1872). §4204; (1!»15). §4178. 

»Cal. Stats. 18S1: 7; Pol Code (1915), § 2171. 

"Cal. Stats. 1903:509; Pol. Code (1915), §2189. 

"Cal. Stats. 1851 : 82 ; Code Civ. Proc, § 668. 

'^Cal. Stats. 1851: 82, 83; 1907: 720; Code Civ. Proc. (1915), § 672. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 29 

Jury Lists. An act coneeriiiug jurors, approved April 2S, 1851, 
provided that after the drawing of the lists of jurors, graud and trial, 
these lists should be filed in the office of the county clerk. Since tluit 
date there has been considerable variation in the method of preparing 
the jury lists, but the provision for filing in the office of the county 
clerk has been retained to the present day." 

Minutes. A record of the daily proceedings of the court, con- 
taining a synopsis of all orders, judgments and decrees proper to be 
entered, unless the court shall order them to be entered at length. *' 

Register of Actions. A book in which the clerk of the court is 
recpiired to enter tlie title of each action, with brief notes under it, 
from time to time, of all papers filed and proceedings had thereon.''' 



'=Cal. Stats. 1851:291; 1852:108; 1859:184; 1863 : 6:U ; 1863-4:525; 1881:70; 
1S95 : 298 ; Code Civ. Proc, § 208. 
■*Pol. Code (1915), § 4178. 
''•(^;il. St:its. isfil : 134; Code Civ. Proc. § 1052. 

Supervisors' Records. 
HISTORY AND POWERS. 

Immediately after the organization of the .state government the 
legislative functions of the counties were, by a law passed April 11, 
1850, vested in the courts of sessions of the various counties.^ The law- 
provided that the court should hold separate sessions for the trans- 
action of county business and it was required that the minutes and all 
other records of the court when so sitting should be kept separate and 
distinct from the records of the court when sitting as a court of 
criminal jurisdiction. The county clerk was made the clerk of the 
court of sessions and he was required to record in a book kept for the 
purpose the minutes of the court and regular entries of all resolutions, 
orders, decisions judgments and decrees touching county business. The 
powers granted to the courts of sessions Avere in general similar to 
those now vested in the boards of supervisors. - 

An act of April 29, 1851, created for the county of San Francisco a 
board of supervisors and conferred upon them the powers in matters 
of county business formerly exercised by the court of sessions. And in 
the following j'ear a similar law was passed applying to all the counties 
of the state except San Joacpiin, Butte, Trinity, Santa Barlnira, Nevada, 
Yuba, Solano, IMariposa, Sutter, Placer, Shasta, Siskiyou, Klamath, 
and Sierra.'' This law was subsequently, at different times, repealed in 
so far as it related to the counties of Calaveras. Colusa, Contra Costa, 
Marin, i\Ionterey, Sacramento, Santa Clara, Tulare, and El Dorado, 



'For the composition, etc., of tliese courts, see page 25. 

-Cal. Stats. 1850: 210. 

=Cal. Stats. 1S51 : 322 ; 1852 : 87. 



5-27ti80 



30 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

and the powers and duties of the boards of supervisors in those counties 
handed back once more to the courts of session.* 

March 20, 1855, the law of 1852 was repealed and a new act passed 
which provided that "there shall be in each of the counties of this 
state a board of supervisors," and from this date the court of sessions, 
finally ceased to have, any legislative functions. There were from time 
to time special acts relating to the boards of supervisors in particular 
counties, but it will be unnecessary to notice these acts as they did not 
affect the general outlines of the original law^ of 1855. This law, vari- 
ously amended and augmented, was embodied in the Political Code in 
1872, in the various acts providing for a uniform county govern- 
mental system and is incorporated in the present Political Code.° 

The powers and jurisdiction of the board of supervisors, as stated in 
the law of 1855, were as follows : 

1. To make orders respecting and to take care of and preserve 
the property of the county ; 

2. To examine, settle and allow all accounts against tlie county 
and levy the necessary and lawful taxes; 

3. To examine and audit the accounts of all officers having to 
do with county money; 

4. To lay out, control and manage roads, ferries, bridges, etc. ; 

5. To take care of and provide for the indigent sick of the 
county ; 

6. To divide the county into townships and to change these as 
convenience may recpiire; 

7. To establish and change election precincts and appoint 
inspectors and judges of elections ; 

8. To control and manage the property of the county and to 
receive, by donation, any property for the use and benefit of the 
county ; 

9. To lease or purchase any real or personal property necessary 
for the county, after a proper valuation by three disinterested 
persons ; 

10. To sell at public auction, after thirty days notice, any 
property of the county; 

11. To cause to be erected, furnished and kept in repair a court 
house, jail or other public buildings, after receiving bids duly 
advertised ; 

12. To control the prosecution and defense of all suits to which 
the county is a party ; 

13. To do and perform all such other acts and things as may be 
strictly necessary to the full di.scharge of the powers and jurisdic- 
tion conferred on the board. 

The board shall also act as a board of equalization, shall cause the 
state and county taxes to be levied, shall publish a semiannual state- 



<Cal. Stats. 1853:153, 227; 1854:32, 40. 44, 52, 222. 

"^Cal. Stats. 1855:51 et seq.; Pol. Code (1872), §4022-4087; Cal. Stats. 1883:299 
et seq.; 1891: 295 et seq.; 1893: 346 et seq.; 1897: 452 et seq.; Pol. Code (1915), 
§ 4027-4090. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 31 

nient of the revenues of tlie county, aud they may, by an order entered 
on the record, adopt, ratify and confirm all the acts, proceedings and 
contracts of the court of sessions heretofore made." 

Subsequent legishition has greatly expanded this stateinent of the 
powers and jurisdiction of the board of supervisors, but most of these 
later additions may properly be construed as being included or implied 
in the enumeration above. It may, however, l}e well to note some of 
these additional powers as they are given in the Political Code of 1915. 

14. To maintain public pounds aud to fix the limits within Avhich 
animals shall not rim at large; 

19. To fill vacancies in county and township offices, with certain 
exceptions ; 

26. To destroy pests, such as gophers, squirrels, noxioiLS weeds 
and insects injurious to fruits or vegetable or animal life ; 

27, 28. To protect sheep, fish and game; 

29. To provide for working of prisoners on public roads, 
buildings, etc. ; 

31. To make local police, sanitary and other regulations; 

33. To levy a tax for advertising the resources and advantages 
of the county; 

39. To encourage tree planting; 

40. To protect river banks.' 

41. To replace indexes of county records destroyed l)y fire or 
other public calamity.^ 

42. To preserve the health of domestic live stock.'' 

43. To take a census, in years other than those in which the 
federal census is taken, of the county or of any township or district 
therein.^'' 

DESCRIPTION OP THE RECORDS. 

The earlier laws contained only general provisions that the board of 
supervisors (or court of sessions) should cau.se to be kept a book in 
which should be entered fully the minutes of the board aud all their 
resolutions, orders, decisions, judgments and decrees.'^ The Political 
Code, adopted in 1872, in defining the duties of the clerk of the board, 
provided that he must: (1) Record all the proceedings of the board; 
(2) ]\Iake full entries of all their resolutions and decisions on all ques- 
tions concerning the raising of money for and the allowance of accounts 
against the county; (3) Record the vote of each member on a division 
or at the request of any member; (4) Sign all orders made and war- 
rants issued by didcr of the lioard for payment of money and certify 
the same to the county auditor; (5) Record the reports of the county 
treasurer of the receipts and disbursements of the x?ounty; (6) Pre- 
serve and i\\o all accounts acted upon l)y the board; (7) Preserve and 



"Cal. stats. 1855: 51 et seq. 
•Pol. Code (1915), § 4041 passim. 
spol. Code (1915), § 4043a. 
»Pol. Code (1915), § 4056a. 
'"Pol. Code (1915), § 4055. 
"Cal. Stats. 1850:210; 1852:87; 1855:51. 



32 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

file all petitions aud applications for franchises and record the action 
of the board thereon; (8) Kecord all orders levying taxes; (9) Per- 
form all other duties required by law or by any rule or order of the 
board.^- To which were added in 1883 the following: (10) Authenti- 
cate with his signature and the seal of the board the proceedings of 
the board Avhenever the same shall be ordered published; (11) Authen- 
ticate, etc., all ordinances passed by the board, and to record the same 
at length in the ordinance book.^- 

The Political Code in 1872 provided that the board must cause to be 
kept: (1) A "Minute Book," in Avhich must be recorded all orders 
■ and decisions made by them, and the daily proceedings had at all 
regular and special meetings; (2) An "Allowance Book," in which 
must be recorded all orders for the allowance of money from tlie county 
treasury, to whom made, on what account, date, number and index; 
(3) A "Road Book," containing all proceedings and adjudications 
relating to roads, road districts, and overseers thereof, their reports 
and accounts; (4) A "Franchise Book," containing all franchises 
granted by them, for what purpose, length of time and to whom 
granted, the amount of bond and license tax recpiired; (5) A "War- 
rant Book," to be kept l)y the county auditor, in which must be entered 
all Avarrants drawn on the treasury, with their number and reference 
to the order in the minute book, with the date, amount, on what account, 
and name of paj-ee." To these was added in 1883 the following : 
(6) An "Ordinance Book," in which must be entered all ordinances 
duly passed by the board. ^^ 

Road Records. The Political Code at the time of its adoption in 
1872 prcsci'ibed that the clerk of the board must keep a book in which 
must be recorded all proceediugs of the board relating to each road 
district, including orders laying out, altering, and opening roads. In 
a separate book he was required to keep a description of each road dis- 
trict, its overseers, roads, highways, contracts, and other matters per- 
taining thereto.^"' By an amendment adopted in 1883 all of the data 
required to be placed in the first book just mentioned was to be incor- 
porated in the minutes of the board in addition to which the clerk was 
also to keep a road register in which must be entered the number and 
name of each public highway in the county, a general reference to its 
terminal points and course, also the date of the filing of the petitions 
or other papers, a memorandum of every subsequent proceeding in 



"Pol. Code (1872), § 4030. 

"Cal. Stats. 1883:302; Pol. Code (1915), §4038. 

"Pol. Code (1872), § 4031. 

'=Cal. Stats. 1883: 302; Pol. Code (1915), § 4039. 

'°Pol. Code (1872), § 2621. 



ARCJllVKS OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 33 

reference to it, with the date thereof, and the folio, and the volnuie of 
the minute book where it is recorded.^' 

Equalization. The Political Code (1872) required that tlic recoi-ds 
of the board of supervisors when acting as a board of equalization 
be kept separate from the other records of the board, section 3682 
reading, in part: "The clerk of the board must record in a book to be 
kept for that purpose all changes, corrections, and orders made by the 
board relative to e(iualization of assessments." This requirement has 
remained in the code since that date.^^ Under this provision therefore 
are to be found minutes of the board of equalization. i)etitions and 
actions regarding erroneous assessments, etc. 

Burial of ex-Union Soldiers, Sailors and Marines. A law enacted 
in 1889 requires that the board of supervisors i)rovide for the proper 
burial of ex-Union soldiers, sailors and marines, wlio die in the county 
without sufficient means, the burial to be in charge of some proper 
person and to be at a cost not to exceed fifty dollars. The person in 
charge of the burial is required to make a report on the condition and 
history of the man and his family, this report with the other facts in 
the case to l:e enteied by the clerk in a book to l)e kept for that 
purpose. ^^ 

Maps of Voting Precincts. Section 1125 of the Political Code, 
added in ]!)15, i)r()vi(l('s that in all counties (with certain exceptions) 
the county surveyor shall, upon the written request of the county clerk 
or registrar of voters, divide the county into election precincts and 
])repare detail precinct maps and exterior descriptions and copies 
thereof, which shall l)e filed with the board of supervisors and adopted 
by them.-'^ 

Miscellaneous Records. 

In addition to those duties which the county clerk has. by virtue of 
his being clerk of the courts or clerk of the board of supervisors, there 
are many other miscellaneous records kept by him. These may in some 
cases appear to be closely related to one of the other groups, but after 
careful consideration have been classed among these miscellaneous 
records. For convenience they have been arranged into a number 
of subdivisions a*^ follows: (1) Office routine and general duties; 
(2) Marriage and i>ul)li'c health; (3) Naturalization; (4) Registra- 
tion; (5) Elections; (6) Records relating to private l)usiness; (7) Rec- 
ords relating to other officers. 



'■Cal. Stats. 188."?: 7; Pol. Co.le (191,^), §2622. 

"Pol. Code, § 3682. 

"Cal. Stats. 1SS9 : 198. 

=">Cal. Stats. 1915: 861. 



34 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

OFFICE ROUTINE AND GENERAL DUTIES. 

Under this heading are grouped such records as the clerk's cash 
book, memorandum of accounts, fee book, special deposit record, etc. 
"With the exception of the fee book, which is kept in some form by all 
clerks, there is but little uniformity in the titles or form of these rec- 
ords, although they are in general similar in nature. In addition to 
these financial records there are also others relating to correspondence, 
a file of miscellaneous papers and the clerk's land register docket, under 
the Torrens Land act. Other titles which deserve more extended treat- 
ment are considered in the following paragraphs. 

Hunting and Fishing Licenses. The game law enacted March 13, 
1907, required the county clerk to enter in a book kept for that purpose 
the name and resident address of every person to whom is issued a 
hunting license, and a description of such person, by age, height, race 
and color of eyes and hair. The 1909 law repeated this requirement 
and it is still in force. By an act of June 16, 1913, a similar provision 
is made regarding "Sporting fishing licenses." Other documents 
relating to game licenses, such as applications for licenses and license 
stubs, are also frecpiently kept by the clerks. They are, however, con- 
sidered as merely temporary records and are usually soon destroyed.^ 

Military Rolls and Military Tax. An act concerning the organiza- 
tion of the militia, approved April 10, 1850, provided that "all free, 
white, able-bodied citizens, between the ages of eighteen and forty-five 
years, residing in this state and not exempt by law, shall be subject to 
military duty." All who were not exempted by law, and not members 
of any volunteer or independent company, were required to pay to the 
county treasurer two dollars a year as a commutation for the nonper- 
formance of military duty. Provision was made for enforcing the 
collection of this military tax. This law also required the assessor 
each year to make out a separate and distinct list of all persons subject 
to military duty and not exempt by law and not members of any volun- 
teer or independent company. A certified copy of this list was to be 
sent to the Adjutant General of the state and the original list deposited 
in the office of the county clerk. - 

An act approved April 25, 1855, reenacted the earlier section regard- 
ing those subject to military duty. It also required the assessor, as 
before, to make out a military list, a copy to be transmitted to the 
Brigadier General of the brigade to Avhich his county belonged, and 
the original to be deposited in the office of the county clerk. This law 
required the paAincnt of a tax of twenty-five cents by each person on the 

'Cal. stats. 1907:247; 1909:663; 1913:986; Deering, Gen. Laws (1915) : 4S6, 489. 
-Cal. Stats. 1850: 190. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 35 

military list for the support of the vohinteer militia of the state. The 
assessor was to assess this tax and it was to be collected and returned 
in the same manner as other taxes.^ An amendatory act of April 10, 
1856, increased the military tax to fifty cents and required the state 
controller to have uniform blank receipts printed and distributed to the 
various counties for use in the collection of this tax.* 

An act approved May 9, 1861, repealed the previous laws regarding 
the militia but reenacted the section regarding those subject to military 
duty. This law also required the assessor, as before, to make out the 
military list of the county, which list was to be delivered to the clerk 
of the board of supervisors. These provisions were repeated in the 
militia act of the following year.^ An amendatory and supplemental 
act passed in 1863 levied upon each male inhabitant of the state of the 
age of twenty-one years an annual tax of two dollars, to be known as the 
"military poll tax," to be assessed and collected in the same manner 
as the state poll tax. Volunteers in the United States army were 
exempted." The laws of 1855, 1861. and 1862 also required the muster 
roll of each company to be filed with the eoniity clerk of the county in 
Avliich it was located. 

By the adoption of the Political Code in 1872 the previous laws 
regarding the militia were repealed or superseded. Sections 1895 to 
2117 of the code as then adopted had to do with the state militia. Sec- 
tion 1897 required the a.ssessor each year to make out a military roll 
for the county, as under the earlier laws, and to deliver the same to 
the clerk of the board of supervisors. The board of equalization must 
then correct the military roll at the same time as the ass&ssment roll, 
and the clerk nnist send a coi)y of the corrected list to the Brigadier 
Cieneral of the brigade to which his county belonged.' In 1897 this 
was amended by requiring two copies of the roll to be delivered to the 
clerk of the board of supervisors, and in 1913 by requiring the military 
roll to be made up only in cncli odd-numbered year, and by .substituting 
''Adjutant General of the state" for "Brigadier General of the 
brigade. ' '® 

MARRIAGE AND PUBLIC HEALTH. 

Marriage Licenses. The Civil Code (March 21, 1872) first set doAvn 
the requirement of a marriage license preceding the performance of 
the marriage ceremony, section 69 of which provided that the parties 
wishing to be married must first obtain a license from the clerk of the 



'Cal. Stats. 1855: 136. 

«Cal. Stats. 1856: 87. 

»Cal. Stats. 1861:321; 1862:362. 

«Cal. Stats. 1863: 446. 

'Pol. Code (1872), §§ 1897, 1899, 1900. 

»Cal. Stats. 1897:406; 1913:710, 711. 



3G REPORT OF HISTORICAL 8UKVKV COMMISSION. 

coimty court sho-\ving': (1) tlie identity of the parties; (2) the real 
and full names and place of residence; (3) that they are of sufficient 
age to be able to consent to marriage; (4) that if the male is under 
twenty-one or the female under eighteen, that the consent of the parent 
is given or that the party had been married before. 

Two unimportant amendments were made in this section of the code'' 
before 1905. when it was more thoroughly revised.^" This amendment 
required that the applicant must show upon oath the facts demanded 
in the earlier section. It further forbade marriages between certain 
races, or the marriage of imbeciles, insane persons or persons under the 
influence of intoxicants.^^ 

Record of Medical Certificates. The first of a series of acts regard- 
ing the regi.stration of persons engaged in professions having to do with 
the public health of the people of the state was enacted April 3, 1876, 
and created a state board of examiners who were to grant medical cer- 
tificates to such persons as were by them considered qualified to prac- 
tice medicine. These were to be recorded in the office of the county 
clerk in the county in which the physician had his practice; and for 
this purpose the clerk was to keep a book, which would contain a com- 
plete list of the certificates recorded by him.^- In 1901 this act was 
replaced by a new law forming the board of medical examiners but in 
sections eight and nine it prescribes similar duties to the county clerk 
as those previously required." 

Register of Dentists. On March 12, 1885, the first act requiring the 
registration of dentists was passed. A board of examiners was created 
to pass upon the qualifications of applicants and it was made unlawful 
for dentists who were not already practicing to begin practice without 
first obtaining a license. Practicing dentists were required to file their 
names for registration with the county clerk within a period of six 
months, and all new applicants were to register before beginning their 
practice. For this purpose the county clerk was required to keep a 
book to be known as the ''Register of Dentists." An amendmeut Avas 
made to tlie act in 1893, but in no wise affected the manner of the clerk's 
record and in 1901 the act of 1885 was replaced by another without 
materially affecting the issue considered.^* 

On March 20, 1903, further changes were made and in addition to 
the requirement of registering the license it was also required that the 
applicant give his name, age. office address and numl)er of his license; 



»Cal. Stats. 1873-74:186; 1880:3. 

">/biri, 1905 : 182. 

"Civil Code (1915), $68-69. 

'^Cal. Stats. 1875-76: 792. 

"Cal. Stats. 1901: 56-64. 

"Cal. Stats. 1885:110; 1893:70; 1901:564. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLEKK. 37 

and ill addition file an affidavit tliat he is the party mentioned in the 
license. The affidavits Averc; also to be placed on file in a bound 

vol nine.'-'' 

Register of Osteopaths. On March 0, 1901, the State Board of 
Osteopathic Exaniinei's was created with x^ower to pass upon the 
qualifications of persons applying for osteopathic licenses. These 
licenses were to he recorded with the county clerk in similar manner 
to other medical licenses in a book known as the ''Register of Osteo- 
paths. "i« On :\rarch 14. 1907, the State Board of ]\redical Plxaminens 
was reorganized to include members of the Osteopathic Association and 
to them was given the power to grant licenses to osteopaths. The clerk 
was required to keep a record of all certificates filed with him. These 
are kept in the same volume known above as the "Register of O.steo- 
paths."^" 

Register of Optometrists. On ]\larch 20, 1903, the California State 
Board of Examiners in Optometry was created. Certificates were to 
be granted by them to persons qualified to practice optometry. These 
"were to be presented to the county clerk for record and placed in a 
record book provided especially for that purpose.^* 

Register of Pharmacists. The State Board of Pharmacy was 
created in 1891 but the law required no records of licenses to be kept 
other than those of the board itself.^'* Further changes in the act 
were made in 1893, and it was replaced by a new act in 1901 but none 
of these acts required the keeping of local records.-" On the 20th of 
JNiarch, 1905, another act was passed covering the matter and this time 
it was provided that the count}' clerk keep a record of certificates 
granted by the state board, and notify that board that the certificate 
had been recorded, giving name and date of filing.'-^ 

NATURALIZATION. 

The federal naturalization laws give jurisdiction over naturalization 
matters to state courts of record having a seal, a clerk and jurisdic- 
tion in actions in wliicli the amoiuit in controversy is unlimited. This 
includes the su])erior and higher courts. 

The first naturalization law. passed ^larcli 2(). 1790, provided a very 
simple procedure. Citizenship miglit be conferred by any common 
law court of record upon a hearing in which it should be shown that the 
applicant had been at lea.st two years a resitlent in the United States, 



"Cal. Stat.s. lii03 : ,',22. 

'"Cal. Stats. 11101 : 11. •?. 

"Cal. Stats. IStOT : 252. 

'sCal. Stats. 1903, 285: 1907: 63. modifies the act but not this part. 

"Cal. Stats. 1,S91 : 86. 

=»Cal. Stats. 1893:68; 1901:299. 

='Cal. Stats. 1905: 539 ; anotlier act without material change, 1907: 766. 



38 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

and upon his taking the required oath of allegiance, etc. No previous 
declaration of intention was necessary, but the clerk was required to 
record the application and proceedings thereon in the records of the 
court. No special record book seems to have been called for.-- 

The next law, passed January 29, 1795, made necessary the filing of 
a declaration of intention three years before the final application for 
admission, and also increased the residence requirement to five years. 
The same provisions were included for recording the proceedings as 
in the previous law.-" From that time until 1906 the plan of natural- 
ization remained much the same, though there were variations in detail 
and some special enactments at different times. So far as the records 
were concerned there were no nuiterial changes. While there was no 
specific requirement in the statutes for special record books, an exami- 
nation of the records of the various courts shows that special books 
were, in actual practice, kept for the recording of declarations of inten- 
tion, petitions and certificates, and for naturalization indexes of various 
kinds.-* 

A California state law passed in 1872 requires tlie clerk of the court 
to provide two books, in one of which he shall enter in alphalietical 
order the names of all persons who, from the organization of the court, 
have declared their intention to become citizens of the United States, 
together with the date of the declaration. In the other book he is 
required to enter in alphabetical order the names of all persons by 
that court admitted to citizenship in the United States, together with 
the name of the country of W'hich each was before a citizen or subject ; 
the date of admission and the page of the court record book containing 
the order admitting him.-^ 

The present naturalization law, approved June 29, 1906, requires: 
(1) A declaration of intention, to be filed at least two years prior to 
admission; (2) A petition for naturalization, to be filed not less than 
two nor more tlian seven years after the declaration of intention, 
with this must also be filed a certificate of arrival, for all aliens coming 
to this country after June 29, 1906; (3) An examination of the alien 
by the clerk at the time the petition is presented and a final hearing, 
after notice, at which time the petition is either granted or rejected. 

The blank forms for the declaration of intention, petition for natural- 
ization and certificate of naturalization are furnished by the bureau at 
Washington. The permanent court records required by the law of 
1906 are as follows: (1) The original declarations of intention, bound 



=2U. S. stats. 1 : 103. 

"'U. S stats. 1 : 414. 

2iFed. Stats. Annotated (see index) ; Rev. Stats., §§ 2165-2174. 

"Cal. Stats. 1871-2:80; Gen. Laws, 1915 (Deering), 1204. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 39 

in volumes and numbered consecutively from volume to volume, begin- 
ning with number one in volume one; (2) The petitious for naturaliza- 
tion bound and nuuibered iu similar fashion, together with a record of 
final orders upon the petitions for naturalization, which in the forms 
provided by the bureau is kept upon the l)a('k of the petition; (3) The 
stubs of the certificates of naturalization.'-" 

REGISTRATION. 

Before the year 1866 no restrictions were i)laced upoji prospective 
voters as is now done ])y the registration laws. This resulted in much 
confusion and frequent charges of corrupt practice whenever the elec- 
tions were closely contested. The "Registry Act," so-called becau.se it 
I'equired the registration of all prospective voters, was approved March 
19, 1866. By its terms the county clerk was required to provide 
suitable books to be known as the "Great Register" in which were to 
be recorded the names of all domiciled inhabitants of the county who 
were qualified electors and legal voters thereof. 

The form of the record and the manner of registration were set fortli 
in the law and provided that clear and distinct entries should be uiade 
setting forth in separate columns the name of the person in full; his 
age, the country of his nativity ; his occupation and exact residence ; 
and if a naturalized citizen, further data regarding his naturalization 
were required. These statements were then to be sworn to by the 
person registered and that fact stated in the record. A further column 
was provided for the record of the cancellation of the entry, the cause 
of the cancellation being stated by either of the words "dead," 
"removed," "insane" or "infamous." To assist the county clerk in 
the registration of the voters the county assessor was required to enroll 
and return to the clerk the names of all unregistered persons entitled 
to registration. He was authorized to administer the oath in the same 
manner as the clerk, and for his work received a stated remuneration.-' 

An amendment to the "Registry Act," which did not materially 
affect the manner of keeping of the records, was adopted in 1868,-^ but 
otherwise the original provisions were incorporated in the Political 
Code when it was adopted in 1872. At this time it was further pro- 
vided that before the 5th of August, 1873, and every second year there- 
after, each county clerk Avas to make out a copy of the uncancelled 
entries existing on the great register on the preceding first day of 
August. Thase names were to be arranged alphabetically according to 
surnames and numbered consecutively. These lists were then to be 
printed and copies distributed to each of the election precincts within 
the county and to certain other depositories and libraries or electors 



^'U. S. stats, at Large, 34: 596 ct scq. 
="Cal. Stats. 1S65-66: 28S-301 ; 1899: 63. 
='Cal. Stats. 1867-68; 647. 



40 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

applying for them. The clerk was also required to file and preserve 
all affidavits returned to him by the assessor or used before him for 
the purpose of obtaining registration.-^ 

By a statute of 1878 it was provided that all qualified voters should 
register anew in the counties of Fresno, Kern, Tulare, Stanislaus, 
Merced, Amador, Butte, Nevada and Siskiyou,'^'' and other amendments 
provided that in other counties the board of supervisors should have 
the power to require the new registration of voters whenever in their 
opinion the conditions demanded it.^^ 

In 1895 a more thorough change was made in the registration laws. 
The data required upon the affidavit made by the applicant was now 
extended to include the full name of the registered person; his business 
or occupation; his age. height, complexion, color of eyes and hair; 
place of residence (ward and precinct) ; time and place of naturaliza- 
tion, if naturalized; the date of entry; post office address; and whether 
or not the applicant was able to read the constitution in the English 
language, to write his own name ; and whether or not he was prevented 
by any physical disal)ility from marking his ballot. "^- 

The clerk was now required to arrange the registration affidavits in 
precinct packages. At the end of the period of registration all these 
affidavits for the county were to be arranged alphabetically and the sub- 
stance of them entered into separate precinct books.^^ From the data 
incorporated in these books printed copies of the great register were 
to be prepared either for the county as a whole or by precincts. In 
counties where it was not required that a new registration take place, 
supplemental registers were to be printed. These printed copies were 
then to be distributed among the officers, election boards, libraries, etc.^^ 

Further amendments to the code in 1899 required that in all the 
counties of the state a new registration should be made on each even 
numbered year. At this time a few changes were also made in the data 
required on the registration affidavit : complexion, and color of eyes 
and hair were omitted; Avhile on the other hand, the state in which one 
was born was now required as well as country of nativity.^^ 

Within fifteen days after the close of the registration the affidavits 
were to be arranged for each precinct alphabetically, in order of sur- 
names. These, both originals and duplicates, were then to be bound into 
books and a printed index prepared for each book, the index to .show 
names, ages, addresses and numbers of the voters as tlicy appear in the 



^opol. Code (1872), §§1094-1115. 

=°Cal. Stats. 1877-78:693-94. 

=" Amend. Codes, 1877-78 : 26-27 ; 1889 : 424. 

3=Cal. Stats. 1895: 228; Pol. Code, § 1096. 

^^'Cal. Stats. 1895: 230; Pol. Code, § 1113. 

»<Cal. Stats. 1895: 231-2; Pol. Code, § 1115. 

"Cal. Stats. 1899:60-61; Pol. Code, §§1094, 1096. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 41 

pi-eciiict books."''- In 1903, section 1103 was fnrllier amended reqnirinQ^ 
that all afifidavits of registration be preserved for at least five year.s 
from the date thereof, ])ut that after the affidavits and duplicates had 
been preserved for that period they might, npon the order of the board 
of supervisors, be destroyed. •■' 

The keeping of the great register was discontinued by an amendment 
to the code approved April 19, 1909, which specifies that these affidavits 
shall constitute the register required to be kept for the registration of 
voters, and that the person charged with the registration of voters 
shall not copy the facts shown by the affidavits as a part of his duties.-^ 
These affidavits must be preserved for five years, but after that time 
may be destroyed. An index to the registration affidavits, giving num- 
bers, names, ages, occupations and addresses, was to be prepared within 
five days after the close of registration, and this was to be printed to 
the number of at least one hundred copies; a general index of all the 
l)recincts arranged alphabetically by precincts should then be made, one 
copy of which must be kept in the clerk's office for public reference."" 

The adoption of woman 's suffrage caused further changes to be made 
in the form of the registration affidavit. The amendment to the 
Political Code approved January 9, 1912. provides that the affidavit 
must show: the full name of the per.son; sex; occupation; height; 
country or state of nativity ; exact place of residence ; political affilia- 
tion, if any; place of naturalization, if naturalized; date and place of 
marriage and name of person to whom married, if citizenship Avas 
thereby' acquired ; the date of registration ; post office address ; and 
ability to read the constitution, etc., as in the earlier affidavits.'"^ 

The registration law as it now stands (1916) is not materially dif- 
ferent from the early acts and amendments of which it is the natural 
outgrowth. It provides for the complete registration of voters in each 
even numbered year. The registration affidavits must be made in dupli- 
cate. The data required upon them, while not so full as under the 
earlier acts, is somewhat more explicit and requires that the affiant sign 
the affidavit with his or her accustomed signature. These affidavits 
themselves form tlie great register, the originals being arranged alpha- 
betically by pi'ecincts and bound in this order, while the duplicates are 
filed in a strictly alphabetical manner without any regard to precincts. 
Indexes to the precinct books are prepared and printed, containing the 
numbers, names, occupations and addresses of the electors as they 
appear in the registration books. A general index of these books, 



^isCal. Stats. 1899:62; Pol. Code, §§1103, 1113-1116. 

"Cal. Stats. 1903: 257. 

=«Cal. Stats. 1909: 1004; Pol. Code, §1103. 

=°Pol. Code, § 1115. 

"Cal. Stats, liill (extra session) : 196. 



42 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COIMMISSION. 

arranged alphabetically by precincts, shall be bound and at least one 
copy kept in the office of the county clerk for public reference.*^ 

Poll Lists, while not, strictly speaking-, registration records, 
should be noted in this connection, as they constituted the only official 
record of voters between 1850 and 1866 and were kept as a sort of 
supplemental registration between 1866 and 1872. The act to regulate 
elections, approved ]\Iarch 23, 1850, required the county judge to fur- 
nish to each inspector of elections for each election two copies of a 
blank form containing one column headed "Names of voters" and one 
column headed "Numbers of votes," with proper captions and cer- 
tificates. At the time of holding the election the name of each person 
voting was to be entered on these blanks together with the number. 
These poll lists were to be included with the election returns, one copy 
of which was to be preserved by the inspector for at least six months, 
and the other sent to the county clerk. "*- 

The Registry act of 1866, elsewhere noted, did away with these 
earlier poll lists and provided for the preparation of poll lists before 
each election by a board of registration for each precinct. This board 
was to consist of one clerk and two judges to be elected or appointed 
to serve for a period of two years. The poll list was to be prepared 
during the ninety days preceding the election, and was to be completed 
on the thirtieth day preceding the election, after which it was to be sent 
to the county clerk who had it printed, together with the other poll 
lists for the county. Copies of the printed lists were then sent to each 
clerk of election, and a final revision was made by the board of regis- 
tration in the three clays preceding the election. The poll list was to be 
made up from the uncancelled names on preceding poll lists, from the 
great register and from the oral ai)plications of those entitled to be 
enrolled as electors for the election. The list was to contain columns 
for the number, name, date, age, class (whether native or naturalized), 
occupation and address of each person enrolled, and a column in which 
the fact of his having voted or his vote having been rejected should 
be noted at the time of the election. These lists, constituting a record 
of those who voted, were also to be included with the election returns, 
as in the case of the earlier poll lists. Prior to July 1, 1867, registra- 
tion in the great register was not a necessary prerequisite to enrollment 
on the poll list; after that date it was, except in the case of persons 
naturalized, becoming of age or coming into the county within thirty-five 
days preceding the election.^" 

The Political Code in 1872 abolished these poll lists. In a note the 
Code Commissioners say: "We have abolished the poll list, * * * 



"Pol. Code (1915). §1094 et seq. 
«Cal. Stats. 1850: 101 et seq. 
"Cal. Stats. 1866: 288 et seq. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 43 

have made provision by which the great register will perform all the 
ofifiees the poll lists were ever intended to perform. Experience has 
shown that tlie poll li.sts are prolific sources of fraud."** 

ELECTIONS. 

Election Returns. The act to regulate elections, approved IMarch 
28, 1850, pi-ovided that the election returns, consisting of the poll list 
and tallies, with a certiticate attached tliereto stating the number of 
votes each person received and the office to fill which such votes were 
cast, signed by the election officials, should l)e made up in duplicate, 
one set to be retained by the inspector and preserved for at least six 
months, the other set to be endorsed "Election Returns" and .sent to 
the county clerk. The ballots were to be destroyed. The clerk was 
required, from the returns of the various precincts, to "estimate" the 
vote of the county and draw up and sign a statement of the same, con- 
taining the names of the offices voted for, the number of votes polled 
at each precinct by each candidate for the office, and the totals for the 
county, which statement was to be filed, together with the returns from 
each precinct^ in the office of the court of sessions.*^ In 1855 the last 
phrase was amended to read "in the office of the county clerk. "^"^ In 
1861 an important amendment was adopted providing that the returns 
.should be canvassed by the board of supervisors and the detailed state- 
ment of the result entered by the clerk upon the records of the board. *^ 

In 1863 the law was further amended bj' a recpiirement that the 
ballots, instead of being destroyed, should be strung on a thread or 
cord and enclosed with the returns sent to the county clerk. This 
enabled the board of supervisors to recount the ballots in case any 
elector so demanded. The ballots were to be kept by the clerk at least 
six months.*^ In the following year a record of challenges and oaths 
administered Avas recjuired to be kept by the election officials and 
included with the election returns, but this law was repealed two years 
later.*" In 1866 an amendment reciuired the election board to keep, 
separate from the poll list, a list of voters, containing the names of all 
who voted, numbered consecutively on the left and with the poll list 
number placed to the right of each name. This list was to be included 
with the returns sent to the county clerk. ^"' 

In 1872 the election laws, with some amendments, were incorporated 
in the Political Code adopted that year. These changes were as fol- 
lows : The ballots were to be sealed up in an envelope separate from 



"Pol. Code (1872). § 1095 (note). 

«Cal. Stats. 1850: 101 ff. 

"Cal. Stats. 1855: 161. 

"Cal. Stats. 1861: 529. 

«Cal. Stats. 1863: 354. 

"Cal. Stats. 1863-4: 468; 1S65-6 : 512. 

=^»Cal. Stats. 1865-6: 511. 



44 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

the other returns, but otherwise sent in as before, and to be kept, 
unopened, by the county clerk for twelve months and then, if not 
required by court actions, to be destroyed. The returns sent to the 
county clerk, under seal in charge of a member of the election board 
selected by lot, were to include the copy of the great register (which 
had now taken the place of the poll list) upon which the names of those 
voting had been marked, all certificates of registration received by the 
election l)oard, the list of persons challenged, one copy of the list of 
voters and one copy of the tally list and list attached thereto. As soon 
as the returns were canvassed the clerk was required to take the copy of 
the register returned and file it in his office.''^ 

These provisions have remained in the code and are the present law 
with reference to election returns, except as herein noted. In 1899 
and 1901 amendments Avere adopted which require that the election 
board must post outside of the polling place a cop3^ of the result of the 
votes cast, and transmit one copy of the same, unsealed, to the county 
clerk, to be kept open to public inspection." In 1899 a provision Avas 
inserted that any person desiring to vote sliall write his name and 
address (or if unable to do so, have it written for him) on a roster of 
voters provided for that purpose, and in 1905 a new section was added 
to the code Avhich requires that the roster of voters shall be sealed up 
by the election board and sent, in the same maimer as the other returns, 
to the county clerk, who shall open all the rosters of voters and keep 
them open for public inspection for one year.^" In 1913 it was pro- 
vided that the list of voters, tally list, etc., theretofore required to be 
retained by the inspector, shall be sent to the county clerk and by him 
kept open for public insi)ection for at least six months.^* 

Certificates of Nomination and Nomination Papers. These are 
temporary records and it is sufficient to consider them very briefly. 
Beginning Avith 1891 it is required that certificates of .nomination made 
by conventions and nomination papers, including those filed for the 
purpose of getting the name of a candidate on either the primary or 
general election l)allot, shall be filed, in the case of county offices, Avith 
the county clerk. Avho shall preserA'e them for tAvo years and then destroy 
them.''^ 

Verification Deputies. Under the Primary laAV, since 1909, signa- 
tures to nomination papers have been secured by Avhat are knoAvn as 
"Verification Deputies." These are persons appointed by the can- 
didate or the proponents of a candidate under the proA'isions of the laAV. 

"Pol. Code (1872), §§ 1259-1282. 

"Cal. Stats. 1899:83; 1901:5. 

"'Cal. Stats. 1899:62; 1905^633; Pol. Code (1915) §§1204, 1264rt. 

^^Cal Stats 1913' 226 

'■■•Cal'. Stats." 1891 :' 165 ff; 1909:691 f f ; 1911:769 f f ; 1913:1379 f f ; 1915:845. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 45 

The document by which such verification deputies are appointed shall 
be fik^d with the county clerk. ^"^ 

Record of Nominations. The Primary Election law of 11)11 con- 
tains a provision that the officer with whom nomination papers are 
filed sliall keep a record in which he shall enter the names of all per- 
sons filing the same, the party, if any, and the time of filing. An 
amendment approved January 11. 1916, says that he shall enter the 
names of every person presenting nomination papers for filing, the 
name of the candidate, the title of the office, the party, if any, and the 
time of filing.^" 

Record of Delegates Elected to Conventions. In tlie general pri- 
mary law of 1897 a section is included providing that the clerk must, 
in a proper book, record the names of all delegates elected to conven- 
tions, with certain data in reference thereto. In 1899 this provision 
Avas incorporated in the Political Code, but in 1901 was repeah^d."'® 

RECORDS RELATING TO PRIVATE BUSINESS. 

Articles of Incorporation. All the laws regarding corporations 
have required the filing of the articles of incorporation, but before 
1872 there was no uniformity as to the place where they should be 
filed. ^'' In most cas'cs they were to be filed in the office of the county 
clerk, but in some cases it was frecpiently recpiired that a certified copy 
should also be filed in the office of the secretary of state ; while in other 
eases the original articles wei-e to be filed in the office of the secretary 
of state."" In a few cases the articles were to be filed in the office of 
the county recorder."^ 

In 1872 the corporation laws were codified in the Civil (^xlc It was 
provided that all articles of incorporation shall be filed in the office of 
the comity clerk of the county where the business of the corporation is 
to ])e transacted and a co])y filed in the office of the secretary of state. "- 

Rural Cemetery Associations. In 1859 a law was passed providing 
for the organization of such associations. The officers were required to 
file with the county clerk a certifilcate (similar to articles of incorpora- 
tion), which certificate the clerk shall record *'in a book appropriated 
to the recording of articles of incorporation.""'" 

Bond and Surety Companies. In 1907 an amendment to the Politi- 
cal Code required the county clerk to keep as one of his records a 



'"Primary law, 1909, 1911, 1913, Sec. 5. 
"Cal. Stats. 1911 : 776; 1916 (extra session) : S. 
'"Cal. Stats. 1897:115; 1899:47; 1901:606. 

""Cal. Stats. 1850:351, 365, 369, 371, 374; 1853:87; 1855:205; 1857:75; 1859:93; 
1861:84; 1862:125; 1865-6:743. 

""Cal. Stats. 1850: 353, 360, 375; 1851:434. 
«'Cal. Stats. 1853: 171, 274; 1854:237. 
«=Civil Code, § 296. 
"'Cal. Stats. 1859: 281. 



46 REPORT OP HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

volume to ])e labeled "Bond and Surety Companies." the pages of 
which must be divided into columns for entering the name of the cor- 
poration, name of state, territory or country under whose laws it is 
organized, date of the certificate to do business in this state, date of 
surrender, revocation, etc., of such certificate, date of new authority 
to do business.*'* 

Firms Under Fictitious Names. The Civil Code in 1872 provided 
that on a change of membership in a firm continuing the use of a part- 
nership name the person acquiring the right to use such partnership 
name must file with the county clerk a certificate stating the name of 
each person dealing under such name and the place of residence of 
each member. The clerk was required to keep a register in which he 
must enter in alphabetical order the name of every such partnership and 
of each partner therein. ^^ In 1874 amendments to the code made these 
provisions more specific. It is required that every person or partner- 
ship doing business under a fictitious name must file with the county 
clerk a certificate stating the name and residence of each member. Tbe 
clerk must keep a register in which must be entered in alphabetical 
order the name of every person doing business under a fictitious name 
and the name of every such partnership and of each partner thereof. '^'^ 

RECORDS RELATING TO OTHER OFFICERS. 

Coroner's Inquests. An act concerning coroners, passed April 19, 
1850, required that after the holding of an inquest the "testimony of 
the witnesses examined * * * shall l)e reduced to writing by the 
coroner * * * and * * * filed by liim, with the inquisition 
[verdict of the jury], in the office of the clerk of the district court of 
the county." But if the person charged with the killing had been 
already arrested the coroner was to deliver this testimony and inquisi- 
tion to the magistrate before whom the prisoner was brought, and the 
magistrate was required to return them to the clerk of the district 
court. ^^ These provisions Avere incorporated in the Penal Code in 
1872, with, however, the "county court" substituted for the "district 
court" in each case. In 1880 "superior court" was substituted for 
"county court" and in 1905 "county clerk" was substituted for "clerk 
of the superior court" in each section. Recognizances of Avitnesses, 
when taken by the coroner, were also required to be filed along with 
the testimony and verdict.*'* 

Federal Census Returns. The act of March 23, 1850, Avhich pro- 
vided for the taking of the seventh and subsequent censuses of the 



"Cal. stats. 1907:405; Pol. Code (1915), §4178. 

"'Civ. Code (1872), §§ 2469, 2470. 

««Code Amended. 1873-4: 253-4; Civ. Code (1915), §§ 2466-70. 

«'Cal. Stats. 1850 : 265. 

<«Pen. Code (1872), §§ 1515, 1516; Code Amend. ISSO: 35; Cal. Stats. 1905: 709. 



ARCHIVES OF THE COUNTY CLERK. 47 

United States required that "Each assistant shall, Avithin one month 
after the time specified for the enumeration, furnish the original census 
returns to the clerk of the county court of their respective counties, 
and two copies, duly compared and corrected, to the marshal of the 
district. ' ' 

This act applied to all the later censuses until that of 1880. For the 
census of 1860 there were no changes made in this act, as the only laws 
enacted regarding the taking of the census were in the appropriation 
acts. Before the census of 1870, an act was passed extending the time 
for making the reports, cancelling schedule two, and a few other minor 
details were changed, all of which is specifically made as amendments 
to the act of 1850.^" 

For the taking of the census of 1880 a new act was passed, section 6 
of which provides :'^ 

"Each enumerator is required immediately after the completion 
of the enumeration of the population of his district and before 
forwarding the same to his supervisor to make and file in the office 
of the clerk of the county court or board administering the affairs 
of the county to which his district belongs a list of the names with 
age, sex and color of all persons enumerated by him, which he shall 
certify to be true, etc." 

The laws for all the later ceusiLses have omitted this requirement. 

Humane Officers. Section 607/ of the Civil Code provides a method 
for the appointment of humane officers by bodies incorporated for the 
purpose of prevention of cruelty to animals, subject to the approval of 
the judge of the superior court. An amendment to this section, 
adopted in 1913, provides that the county clerk shall enter in a book 
called the "Record of lluuiane Officers," the name of every officer so 
appointed, the number of his badge, name of the corporation appointing 
him, and date of filing of the appointment. '- 

Other Records. Besides the records above enumerated, a number 
of other.s are frequently found, for whose presence in the clerk's office 
there seems to be no very specific statutory or code provision. Among 
the more important of these the following should be noted: Justice's 
dockets — for the earlier years there are frecpiently very intei-esting 
and valuable to the student of local history; reports of preliminary 
hearings in justice's courts — some offices have a large number of these; 
Notarial records; Coroner's registers; Public administrator's register, 
reports and account books. 



^"U. S. stats., 31st Cong., 1st ses., Ch. XI (1S.">0) ; 41st Cong., 2d ses., Ch. LV 
(1870). 

"U. S. Stats., 46th Cong., 2d ses., Ch. LVII (18S0). 
«Cal. Stats. 1913: 511; Civ. Code (1915), § 607f. 



48 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 



MAP OF CALIFORNIA. 



Showing the Counties whose Archives have been Examined. 

The map aee()mi)anyiiig' this report is presented in order to show to 
what extent the California Historieal Survey Commission has been able 
to prosecute its work of examining and listing the contents of the county 
archives. Forty-three county courthouses have now been examined and 
the contents of their offices reported in a manner similar to that shown 
in the sample reports herewith presented. The remaining counties will 
be examined during the next few weeks. 

As soon as the work in the county archives is completed it is pro- 
posed to push forward the following lines of work, part of which have 
already been under way for some time: (1) A survey of the archives 
of local federal land offices and state office;'?; (2) compilation of a report 
regarding the files of local California newspapers; (3) the preparation 
of a report up(m the records of ecclesiastical, fraternal and l)nsiness 
organizations; (4) the listing of the contents of the larger public col- 
lections of local history materials; (5) the conlinuation of the work of 
discovering and rcpoi'ting upon the great anionnt of historical nialcrial 
still in the hands of jirivate parties. 



ARCHIVES (W THE COUNTY CLERK. 



49 



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V->^ 







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l^O^' 







PART III. 



SAMPLE ARCHIVE REPORTS. 



HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 53 



INTRODUCTION. 

The two sanii)le i'ei)oi-ts which are here given as Part 111 of this i)re- 
liminaiy report are merely given as illustrations of the nature of the 
information obtained and of the form in which the later report upon 
the county archives will l)e presented. 

The report upon the archives of Humboldt County is given in full 
and may be taken as an illustration of a complete report upon the 
archives of one of the counties. The records of Humboldt County 
have been Avell preserved from the early years of the organization of 
that county and hence were chosen for this preliminary report. The 
report upon the archives of the Recorder of the City and County of San 
Francisco was chosen to illustrate the method of reporting upon records 
which antedate the formation of the state government. As will be 
noted, they are arranged chronologically rather than alphabetically, 
and are reported with more detailed description. The great loss inci- 
dent to the tire of 1906 also makes the report upon the archives of San 
Francisco more valuable. The full report of the other offices of San 
Francisco will be given in the later report. 

"What is here given for Humboldt County and for the ofBce of the 
Recorder of San Francisco is only a small part of the material now in 
the hands of the commission and could as well have been given for any 
of the following counties, w^hich have also been examined and the con- 
tents of their archives listed: Alameda, Amador, Butte, Calaveras, 
Contra Costa, El Dorado, Fresno, Humboldt, Inyo, Kern, Kings, 
Klamath (now defunct), Lassen, Los Angeles, Madera, Marin, Mariposa, 
Mendocino, Merced, Modoc, Mono, Monterej^ Orange, Placer, Plumas, 
Riverside, San Benito, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Joaquin, San 
Luis Obispo, San IMateo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz, 
Shasta, Sierra. Siskiyou. Sonoma. Stanislaus, Tulare. Tuolumne, Ven- 
tura, and Yuba. 



54 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 
INTRODUCTION. 

The territory now within the limits of Humboldt County has, since 
the organization of the state, been a part of three counties and, for a 
short time, was loosely joined to a fourth. At the first division of the 
state into counties, in 1850, all that portion of the state north of 40° was 
roughly made into two counties. Trinity and Shasta, the summit of the 
Coast Range being given as the division line. Trinity being almost an 
unknown region, it was joined to Shasta for judicial purposes. 

In 1851 Trinity County was organized independently for the first 
time, but by then the excitement in the Klamath mining region led to 
the division of its territory, the northern half being designated and 
organized as Klamath County. The county seat of Trinity County was 
fixed at AVeaverville. The rapid settlement of the coast region made a 
further division of the territory desirable, and in 1853 the western 
portion of Trinity was cut off and formed into Humboldt County. In 
1874-1875 the last important change in territory was made when a 
portion of the disorganized Klamath County was annexed to Humboldt. 

The location of the county seat was the cause of much rivalry among 
the early to^Aiis. Uuiontown (Areata) was given the honor in 1853, 
but the contest continued until 1856, when by act of the legislature the 
county seat was placed at Eureka. A courthouse and other buildings 
were not erected until after the removal to Eureka, when a brick 
building was erected for that purpose, and is still used as a storehouse 
for some of the old records. 

The present courthouse was built in 1886, and stands in the center of 
a block formerly used as a public plaza. It is constructed of brick 
and from witliout is little endangered from fire. The offices of the 
clerk, recorder and auditor are provided with metal book shelves and 
filing boxes, in the other offices the fixtures are nearly all of wood, and 
in them all a fire arising within the building could gain great head- 
way. Some of the records of the clerk and recorder and all those of 
the treasurer are kept in safes or vaults, but with the exception of the 
latter office these are large enough for only a small part of the records. 
Electric lights and a furnace are used. 

Most of the offices are now overcrowded and many of the records not 
in actual use are relegated to the attic or to the old courthouse, where 
dust, mice or other agencies may do their work of destruction. At 
the suggestion of the Historical Survey Commission, the grand jury 
of the county has recommended the construction of a hall of records for 
the better organization and preservation of the records. 



HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 55 

ARCHIVES OF THE CLERK-* 
Court Records. 

District Court, 1853-1880. 

Calendar. 1853-1879, 2 v. (A-B). 

Execution book, 1865-1879, 1 v. 

File, 1853-1879, 61 f.b., eases 1 to 1418 ; Tax suits, 1 f .b. 

Grand Jury lists and reports, 1853-1867, 2 larp^e p.h. in the old 

courthouse ; Record of drawings, 1859-1877, 1 v. 
Index, 1864-1880, 2 v., defendants and plaintiffs. 
Insane, order of commitments, 1877-?, 8 f.b. 
Judgment book, 1853-1880, 5 v. (A-E). 

Vol. A also contains entrios for county court, 18G0-1S73. 

Judgment docket, 1853-1880, 1 v. (A). 

Entries before ISGS are copied from an earlier book. 

Jury book, 1873, 1 v., in the attic. 

Minutes, 1853-1879, 6 v. (A-F). 

Register of Actions, 1853-1879, 5 v. (A-E); Index, 1 v. ; Delin- 
quent taxes, 1865-1867, 1 v. 

Tax decree book, Sept., 1866-Aug., 1867, 1 v. 

"Witnesses and Jurors in district and countv court, list of, 1866- 
1872, 1 V. 

County Court, 1853-1880. 

Calendar. 1853-1868, 1 v. (1). 

File, 1853-1879, 20 f.b., cases 1-466. 

Judges' fees, county court and insolvents, 1853-1857, 1 v. 

Judgment book, 1860-1873, see undcn- district court. 

Minutes, 1853-1879. 2 v. (A-B). 

Vol. B also contains minutes of court of sessions, 1S61-G3. 

Register of Actions. 1853-1879, 2 v. (A-B). 

Witnesses and Jurors, 1866-1873, see under district court. 

Court of Sessions, Criminal, 1853-1865. 

Calendar, 1853-1859, 1 v. 

Minutes, 1853-1861, 1 v.; 1861-1863, .see under county court, 

Minutes, B. 
Register of Actions, 1853-1865, 1 v. 

Superior Colrt, 1880-date. 

Attornevs, roll of, 1853-1906, 1 v. 

Calendar, 1880-1898, 4 v. (1-4). 

Execution, 1885-1897, 1 v. 

Exhibits: maps, diagrams, pictures ami various nr1icl(^s. .some of 

which are historically interesting. 
Feeble-minded persons, commitment of, 1 f.b. 

*The following abbreviations are here employed: 

bdl., for bundle; p. or pp., for pase or pages; 

cert, copy, for certified copy; ph., for pigeon hole; 

f.b.. for filing box; v.. for volume. 



56 REPORT OP HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

File, 1880-date, 200 f.b., eases 1-7381 ; Proferts in matter of claims 

to state lands, 1883-date, 1 f.b. ; Writs of habeas corpns, 1873- 

date, 3 f.b. 
Grand Jnry reports and conrt charges, 1890-date, 2 f.b. 
Index, general, plaintiffs, 1880-date, 2 v. (1-2) ; Index to decisions, 

1887-1904, 1 V. 
Insane Persons, record of orders, 1881-1897, 2 v. (1-2) ; Index, 

1881-1897, 1 v.; Kecord of commitments, 1897-date, 5 v. (1-5), 

1 f.b. ; Certificates of discharge, 1903-date. 1 v., 1 f.b. 
Judgment book. 1880-date, 7 v. (1-7). 
Judgment docket, 1880-date, 4 v. (1^). 
Jury book, 1881-date, 4 v. (1-4) ; Keeeipts for jury fees, Civil, 

1897-1910, 1 V. ; Jnry lists, 1907-date, 3 f.b. 
Ledger, civil action, 1 v. 
Minutes and Orders, 1880-date. 25 v. (1-25) ; Dept. 2, 1895-date, 

10 V. (1-10) ; Miscellaneons orders of superior court in bank, 

1 f.b. ; Eough minutes, 48 books in the main office with many 

others in the attic. 
Receipts, stub books of civil. 1891-1901, 1 v. 
Register of Actions, 1880-date, 17 v. (1-17) ; one vol. criminal, 

1892-1911, in attic. 
Reporter's Notes, large quantity in old courthouse. 
Transcripts of Evidence, large number of books in attic aud old 

courthouse. 

Superior Court, Probate, and Old Probate Court, 1853-date. 

Calendar, 1856-1859, 1 v. 

Collateral Inheritance Tax record, 1905-1909, 3 v. 

Executors and Administrators. 1858-1859. 1 v. 

File, 1853-1879, 24 f.b. bv letter; 1880-date, 153 f.b. 

Ledger, 1908-1912, 1 v. 

Letters of Guardianship and Bonds, 1862-1879, 1 v.; 1880-date, 

4 V. (1-4). 
Letters Testamentarv, AdministrMtion and Bonds. 1861-1879, 2 v. 

(1-2) ; 1880-date," 8 v. (1-8). 
Minors, adoption of. 1 f.b. 
Minutes ("Record") of the court. 1853-1879. 6 v. (A-F) ; Dept. 

1. 1880-date, 20 v. (1-201; Dept. 2. 1896-date, 8 v. (1-8). 

Index, 1 V. 
Register of Actions, 1853-1879, 2 v. (A-B) ; 1880-date, 7 v. (1-7). 
Wills, 1855-date, 5 v. (A-E). 

Superior Court Juvenile, 1905-date. 

File, 1906-date, 4 f.b. 

Minutes and Orders. 1909-date. 2 v. (1-2). 

Register of Actions, 1905-date, 2 v. (1-2). 

Supervisors' Records. 

Allowance books. 1885-date. 8 v. (1-8); Index. 6 v. ; Claims allowed. 

1911-date, 19 f.b. ; Claims rejected, 1 f.b. : Orders on county 

treasury, 1 f.b. 
Boundary between Humboldt and Klamath counties, field notes, August, 

1872, one pocket note book. 



HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 57 

Boundaries of Townships, precincts, road districts, etc., recent, 1 v. ; 

Index to, 1886, 1 small book. 
Burial of Ex-Union Soldiers and Marines, 1889-date, 1 v. 
Coinnumications received and sent. 1855-1859, several p.h. in the attic; 

1865-1875, large amount in old courthouse; State officers, 1 f .b. ; 

District attorney, 1 f .b. ; Miscellaneous, 1874-date, 2 f .b. 
Election Precincts and Officers, petitions regarding, 1869-date, 1 f.b. 
Equalization, Minutes of Board of, 1872-date, 1 v. ; File of, 1858-date, 

3 f.b. 
Erroneous Assessments, petition for cancellation, 1 f.b. 
Franchise book, 1853-date, 1 v. 
Hospital record, 1 v. ; ^Miscellaneous papers relating to, 1863-date, 2 f.b. ; 

Bids for supplies, 1 f.b. 
Indigents, record of, 1886-1903, 1 v., used only for half-orphans; Indi- 
gent affidavits, 1 f.b. 
Minutes of Court of Sessions, county business, 1853-1855, 1 v. (A) ; 

Minutes of supervisors, 1855-date, 15 v. (A-0) ; Index 2 v. (1-2. 

These records are most useful to the historical worker as they contain 
information regarding the formation of school and road districts, 
election districts and the canvass of the returns, etc. 

Oi'dinance book, 1883-date, 1 v. (1) ; Ordinances, 1 f.b. 

(>rphans on State Aid. 190-4-date, 1 v. 

Reclamation districts, 1 f.b. 

Road record, 1870-1874, 1 v. ; 1887, 1 v. 

Road register, 1883-date, 1 v. ; Index to road book and register, 1 v. 

Roads, bridges, etc. : Bids, 1872-date, 5 f.b. ; Claims for damages, 1874- 
date, 1 f.b. ; Petitions, 1852-date, 8 f.b. ; Specitications, 4 f.b. ; 
Reports of commissioners, 1862-date, 2 f.b. ; Rights of wav, deeds, 
3 f.b. ; Ferries, 2 f.b. 

Road Overseers' Accounts, 1855-1869, 4 v.; 1887-1888, 1 v. 

Road Survey Field Notes, 70 small pocket note books. 

Nine of these are for the coast road to Mendocino ; ten, for the Blocksburg 
road; and one for the Loud survey, 1868; the others are miscellaneous. 

Road Tax Lists and Reports, 1856-1868, in the old courthouse; Assess- 
ment lists by districts, 1861, 7 books by townships ; 1862-63, several 
books; 7 books without date. 

School District Papers and Records: A.ssessment roll, Eureka district, 
1867, 1 v.; School bonds. 1 f.b.; Petitions, 1859-1889, 1915, 2 f.b.; 
Miscellaneous papers, 4 f.b. 

Supervisors' .Miscellaneous I'apers: Papers of court of sessions, 1 f.b.; 
Bids, 1 f.b. ; Bonds, 1855-date, 1 f.b. : Courthouse, 1 f.l). ; Inven- 
tories, 1907-date, 1 f.b. ; Petitions, 1862-1894, 6 f.b. ; Waterworks, 
1 f.b. ; Taxes, 3 f.b. ; Miscellaneous, 4 f.b. 

Miscellaneous Records. 

Office Routine .\nd Gener.\u Duties. 

Appointments, 1 f.b. ; Registration clerks, 1 f.b. 
Cash book, 1906-1910, 1 v. 

Certificates and Proclamations from Secretarv of State. 1911-date, 
1 f.b. 



58 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

Fee book, 1878-1883, 1 v.; 1897-date, 2 v. (3-4). 

License Account and Salary of Judge and District Attorney, 1868- 

1872, 1 V. 
Licenses, Register of hunting. 1907-1908, 1 v. 
Military Lists, 1854, 1861-1867, small pocket note books; 1868- 

1898, in old courthouse; 1 f.b. 
Monthly Balances, 1900-date, 1 f.b.; Monthly reports, 1886-date, 

1 f.b. 

Naturalization. 

Declarations of Intention: District court, 1853-1880, 5 v. (A-E) ; 

Superior court, 1880-1906, 7 v. (1-7) ; Index, 1853-1906, 2 v. 
Declarations of Intention, record of, 1906-date, 3 v. (1-3). 
Naturalization, acts of, district court, 1869-1879, 1 v. (C) ; County 

court, 1869-1880, 2 v. 
Naturalization, record of, superior court, 1880-1906, 6 v. (1-6). 
Naturalization Petition and Record, 1906-date, 4 v. (1-4). 
Naturalized Citizens Index, 1853-1906, 2 v. (1-2). 

Registration. 

Affidavits of Registration, 1900-1902, in attic; 1904-1908, in old 
courthouse; 1910-date, bound by precincts. 

Assessor's Returns to County Clerk, 1866-1867, roll of large sheets 
in the old courthouse. 

Cancelled on Great Register, list of names, 1866-1875, 1 v., in the 
recorder's office. 

Great Register, 1866-1909, 20 v.; 1910-date, the affidavits them- 
selves are bound as the register. 

Great Register, list of names entered, 1868-1899, 5 v. 

Great Registers of other counties, 1869-1888, 164 in numlier, in 
attic and old courthouse. 

Elections. 

Affidavits relating to, 1 f.b. 

Boards of Election, 1869, 1 pocket note book. 

Candidates' Statements, 5 f.b.; Verification statements, 2 f.b. 

Certificates of Election, 1857, 1 v.; 1865-1888, 1 p.h. in the old 

courthouse; 1890-date, 1 f.b. 
Certificates of Nomination, 1892. 1 p.h. in old courthouse; 1898- 

1900, 1 f.b. 
Challenge List and Returns, 1914. 
Election Returns, original, 1853-1872, in old courthouse. 

This material contains some verj' interesting documents, as all the returns 
sent in from the precincts for these years have been preserved. 
Probably the most interesting are the papers relating to the county seat 
elections in 1S.")4. for among these may be found the original poll list 
of Angel's Ranch, a very small precinct, which reported 2,330 votes for 
one of the rival towns. 

Poll Lists, 1868, 1869, 1871, in the old courthouse. 

Papers relating to elections, 3 f.b. 

Primary Election Officers, record of, 1898, 1 v. 



HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 59 

Roster of Voters, 1908, in old courthouse. 
Tally Sheet of Canvass by Supervisors, 1890. 

Marriage and Public Health. 

Marriage License Affidavits, 1872-1909, 14 f.b.. in old courthouse; 

1910-date, 3 v. (1-3) ; Recorder's statements, 1906-date, 1 f.b. 
Dental Certificates, register of, 1885-] 903, 1 v.; Register of 

dentists, 1903-date, 1 v. 
Medical Certificates, record of, 1876-date, 2 v. (1-2). 
Optometrists, registered, 1903-date. 1 v. 
Osteopathists, register of, 1903-date, 1 v. 
Pharmacists, register of, 1905-date, 1 v. 

Pertaining to Private Business Concerns. 

Articles of Incorporation, 1853-date, 14 f.b. ; Index, 1 v. 

Banking Certificates, 1 f.b. 

Bonds of Corporations, record of official, 1868-1875, 1 v. (B). 

Bond and Surety Companies, record of, 1 v. 

Certificates of Insurance, 2 f.b. 

Partnerships, register of, 1874-(late, 1 v. (1) ; Ccu'lificalcs of, 1 f.b. 

Private Account Books: 

Eureka Restaurant, 1853-1856, 5 books. 

In one of theso the entrios show th.-it duriiiu A])ril, nSr>4, this restaurant 
purchased .'j;243.G0 of elk meat. 

Hull & Monroe, butcher and produce business, 1860-1861, 3 v. 

Eureka Bakery, Chas. "Wiggins, 1875-1877, 2 v. 

Southmavd, Ledger of, butcher business, 1877, 1 v. 

Biggs, S." F., ledger of, liquors, 1883-1887, 2 v. 

Mary Blaine Mine, 1884, set of four books. 
Rural Cemetery Associations, record of, 1909-date, 1 v. ; Incor- 
poration of, 1 f.b. 
Sole Traders Applications, 1871-date, 1 v. 

Relating to Other Officers. 

Auditor's Reports and Statements, 1 f.b. 

Bonds, official, 1853-1894, 4 p.h. in old courthouse. 

Coroner's Inquests, 1859-date, 22 f.b. 

Coroner's Register, 1893-date, 1 v. (1). 

Horticultural Commi.ssioner's Reports, 1 f.b. 

Justice's of Peace Dockets, Eureka township. 1861-1870, 1872- 

1876, 7 v. ; Bucksport township, 1853-1879, 1 v. ; Tax suit docket, 

1862, 1 V. 
Justice Court Papers: Civil, 1 f .1). ; Criminal, 2 f.b. 
Miscellaneous Reports, 1859-date, 2 f.b. 
Notaries, register of, 1888-date, 1 v. 
Notarial Records, 1905-1913, 10 v. 
Oaths of Office. 1 f.b. 
Pul)lic Administrator, register of, 1883-date, 2 v. (1-2) ; Account 

book of public administi'ator, 1889-1892, 1 v. ; Semiannual 

reports, 1908-date, 1 f.b. 



60 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

Treasurer's Reports, 1900-date, 1 f.b. 

United States Census Enumerators' Field Notes, 1870, 1 hdl. in old 
courthouse. 

These are the original notes of the census marshal and are most valuable 
in giving the data from which the reports were compiled as the names 
of each individual is given with the data as obtained. 

United States Census, 1880, list of i>ersons residing within districts, 
24 books, in the recorder's office. 

These contain merely a list of the inhabitants with no further data as 
given in the earlier census. 

ARCHIVES OF TPIE RECORDER. 

Architects, record of, 1901-1906, 1 v. 
Assignments of IMortgages and Leases, index to, 2 v. 
Attachments, record of, 1855-date. 5 v. (1, B-E) ; Index, 1 v. 
Banking Assets, statements of, 1876-1893, 1 v. ; 1 f.b. 
Semiannual report of financial condition of banks. 

Bankruptcy and Insolvency Papers, 1 f.b. 
Births, register of, 1856-1859, 1 v. ; 1873-1902, 1 v. ; 1902-date. 
Building Contracts, etc., mostly recent, 12 p.h. in map case; 1 f.b. 
(Jertificates of Sale under Execution, 1853-date, 4 v. (A, 1-3) ; Index, 

1 V. 
Deaths, register of, 1873-1880, 1889-1898, 1 v., incomplete ; Record of, 

1905-date, 3 v. (1-3) ; 1 f.b. 
Decrees of Distribution, index to, 1874-date, 1 v. 
Decrees are recorded in deed books. 

Deeds, 1854-date, 158 v. (A-Z, 1-132), volume "A" is entitled "Rec- 
ord of town lots of Humboldt Co.," 1860-1865; "B" begins with 
July 29, 1854. In addition to these volumes is another, "Green 
Book, Deeds, City of Eureka," containing entries for 1850. 

Election Expenses, candidates' statements, 1894-date, 5 v. (1-5) ; 
Candidates' statements, primary elections, 1912-date, 2 v. (2-3); 
indexed; Committees' statements, 1894-date, 2 v. (1-2). 

Estray book, 1861-date, 1 v. 

Fee book, 1873-74, 1 v. in attic; 1883-date, 16 v. ; ako an "Account 
Book of County Recorder," 1876-1877, containing record of fees, had 
formerly been used as a farmers' journal. 

Homesteads, register of, 1860-date, 7 v. (1-7) ; Index, 1 v. 

Indian Indentures, 1860-1862, 1 bdl. of 105 documents in the old 
courthouse. 

Land Claims, swamp and overflowed lands, 1853-date, 1 v. ; Index, 1 v. 

Leases, 1907-date, 2 v. (1-2) ; Index, 1863--date, 2 v. 

Lis Pendens, 1855-date, 5 v. (A-E) ; Index, 1 v. 

Maps and Plats: Map books, 11 large volumes; Index, 1 v. ; Maps of 
survevs, 1891-date, 6 v. (1-6) Index, 1 v. ; Block books of Eureka, 
1861,^1862, 1866, Eureka and Areata, 1863, 1864, 1865; also a few 
undated volumes. 

Maps— Mounted: Trinidad, 1871; Eureka, 1888, 1901; Humboldt Co., 
1898. 



iiumboijDt county. 61 

IMaps — Miscellaneous unmounted and unbound, about a dozen. 

Many of thcso maps are very interesting, e. g., Map of Humboldt City. 
18.50; ]\rap of IFooktown ; Eureka waterfront, 1870, and many road 
survey maps. 

Marks and Brands, 1858-dat(\ -S v. ( A-C) ; 2 l)oxos of l))'riiuls l)m'ned on 
leather. 

Book A h(>uiiis wiili iIk' i)r;iii(i of .lulin Kuoeland. originally filed in 
Trinity County ; Book B is more detailed, giving record of transfer of 
brands of cattle and also contains brands for butter. 

.Marriaoje Register, 1859-1 86(). 1873, 2 v.; Record of marriages, 1854- 
1858, is in "Sole Traders Declarations," pp. 1-31. 

Marriage Certificates and Licenses, 1873-date, 15 v. (C-Q) ; Index, 
1864-1872, 1 V. (A), also contains record of one license as well; 1873- 
date, 6 V. (B-D). 

Mechanics' Liens, 1854-date, 4 v. (A-D). 

Alining- Claims and Water Rights, 1874-date, 5 v. (1-5) ; another vol- 
ume. 1874-1890. copied into v. 1 ; Index, 2 v. 

Miscellany, 1853-date, 5 v. (A-E) ; Index, 1 v. (1) ; also another, 
"County Records of Humboklt County, Bk. A," 1853-1854. 

As the title implies, this set of records contains many kinds of documents, 
some of unusual interest, viz., the agreements of the various speculation 
companies which took up the lands on the bay in 1S"0 ; the Bucksport 
Land Claim Association; the articles of the Humbohlt Lumber Manu- 
facturing Co., 1854, etc. 

Mortgages, 1859-date, 100 v. (A-Z. 1-74) ; Index. 12 v. (1-6). 
Mortgages— Chattel, 1866-date, 14 v. (A-N) ; Index, 2 v. (1). 
National Guard of California, register of 10th Bat. of Inf., 1879. 
Newspaper Files, in the office of the County Clerk, except as noted 
below : 

Humboldt Times (Weekly), July 14, 1860-Dec., 1897, 28 v. Filas 
appear complete between these dates except vols. 9, 20, 24, 25, 
27, 30, 33, 36, and 37. 
Nortlicrn Independent, Julv 22, 1869-Jidv 13. 1871, 2 v. 
Telephone— Weeldy, Dec., i881-Dec., 1882, 1 v. 
Times-Telephone, 1884-1885. 2 v. (30-31). 
West Coast Signal. Feb., 1871-Feb., 1874, 3 v. (1-3). 
Sacramento Heporier, 1870-1872, unbound, in the old courthouse. 

Official Bonds, record of, 1853-date, 8 v. (A-II) ; Index, 2 v. 

Vols. A and B are eiitillrd. •"Records of the Co. Clerk." 

Oyster Beds, record of, 1893-date, 1 v. 

Patents, record of, 1860-date, 21 v. (1-21) ; Index, 2 v. 

Powers of Attorney, 1853-date. 6 v. (A-F) ; Index, 1851-date, 2 v. 

Releases and Satisfaction of Mortgages, 1907-date, 3 v. ; Index, 1888- 

date, 4 V. (1-2). 
Redemption, certificates of, 1 f.b. 

School Land Warrants, record of. 1858-1862. 1 v. in clerk's office. 
Separate Property of ^Married Women. 1864-date, 1 v. (A). 
Solo Traders, 1859-1892, 1 v. (No. 1). 

Pages 1-31 of this book contain record of marriages, 1854-58. 
(Special) Partnership Record, 1873-date, 1 v. (1), indexed. 



62 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

Stallion Register, "Propagation License Certificates," 1912-clate, 1 v. 
Survey of Boundary between Mendocino, Humboldt and Trinity 
counties, 1891, 1 v. 

This consists of 54 t.^Tiewritten pages, describiniS the country crossed by 
the survt^yors. incidentally giving much information regarding the con- 
dition of the countrj', settlements, etc. 

Surveyors, register of licensed, 1891-date, 1 v. 

Tax Deeds, 1875-date, 7 v. (1-7) ; Index by grantors, 1 v. 

Transcripts of Judgments, 1 v. 

Transcripts from the judgment docket, showing liens against real property. 

Transcripts of Judgments Rendered by Justices of Peace, 1855-]882, 

1 v., indexed. 
''Trinity County, Cal, Record Book, No. 1." Aug. 1850-Mar. 1851, 1 v. 

Most of the entries are deeds to lands around Humboldt Bay ; it also 
contained, unbound, a number of sheets or pages of preemption claims. 

Trust Deeds, 1911-date, 2 v. (1-2). 

"Union, Record Book of the Town of," 1851-1853. 

The first entry in this book contains the poll list and the results of an 
election held at Uniontown April 1. 1851, at which time 110 votes 
Avere cast. The last entry is dated Oct. 5. 1853. 

Wills, record of, 1880-date, 1 v.: Index. 1854-1873; 1883-date, 2 v. 

ARCHIVES OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OP SCHOOLS. 

Annual Report of the condition of the common schools of Humboldt 
County, 1871-date, 10 v. 

These are reports sent to the Superintendent of Public Instruction and 
consist of about 24 pages each. They_ are later bound in groups of 
three years each and kejit on file. Aiiioug other things they contain 
the names of private schools in the comity: census statistics; school 
and financial statistics; n statement of school property (the earlier 
r('|i()i-|s give even the location of the schoollHiusc ) ; miscellaneous 
sliitistics; certificates granted; etc. The later forms are somewhat 
(lilTciciit liiit of the same general nature. 

ApiK)rtiotimoiit of Finuls, 1893-1899. 1 bdl. in old courthouse. 

Api)licatic)ns for certificates, life diplomas, etc., 1 f.b. 

Auditor, communications from the, 1887-date, 1 drawer. 

Board of Education, record of, 1880-date, 2 v. 

Census Marshal's Field Notes. 1891; 1909, in old courthouse; 1910. 

(xive name, age, etc., of each child in the school district and county. 

Cen.sus reports. 1882-3884, 1886-1888, 1899-1901. 1903, in old court- 
house ; 1905-1910, 7 f.b. 

These are abstracts from the field notes giving the names of the parents 
with the number of children between 5 and 17. 

Certificate Books : 

High school certificates, 1891-date, 5 v.; 
(irammar-grade on credentials, 1887-date, 5 v. (2-6) ; 
(iramm.ir-grade on examination. 1887-date, 4 v. (2-5) ; 
Second-grade, 1880-1893, 1 v. ; 



HUMBOIiOT COUNTY. 63 

Primary, 1887-1901. 4 v.; 
Special, 1891-date, 5 v. ; 

Other books eontainino: a few teiiipoi-ai-y and other certificates of 
scattering dates. 

Conntv Superintendent of Schools, record of accounts of. 1897-date, 

IG V. 

TIk'so follow llio school district accounts aiul are practically the same in 
form. The accounts arc arranged by districts showing the amounts 
drawn out and the balance. 

Course of Study in Humboldt County Schools. 1888, 1892, 1895-96, 

1897-98, several printed copies. 
District Clerks, communications from. 1 file. 

These are filed in a cabinet under the names of the various districts. 

District Clerk's Papers, 3 p.h. in old courthouse. 
Life diplomas, recommendations for, 1889-date. 

These are the stubs of recommendation.s made to the State Supiu'in- 
tendent. They are divided into two classes — first grade and grammar 
grade. 

Maps of Humboldt County. 1886 (Forbes) ; 1S93 (Lentell). 

Official maps ; both have much early information ; used to show the school 
districts. 

Miscellaneous Papers, 4 p.h. in old courthouse. 
Requisition Stubs, 1891-date. 

Stub book of orders on the treasury and correspond with the record in 
the school district accounts, etc. Arranged by years and districts. 

School District Accounts. 1871-1897, 6 v. 

Same series as the Record of Accounts of the County Sui)erinteudent. 

School Districts, boundaries and description of, 1885, 1 v.. (printed). 
School District Ledger; General expenses, 1864-1871, 1 v.; P)uildii)g 

fund, 18()7-1871, 1 v. ; both in old courthouse. 
School Districts, maps of, 3 maps. 

The fii-st is an old hand-ruled inap undated : another on the Ivi'nlell map 
of IS'.!.") and a larg(>r one for the present time. 

Supcrinlcndent of Public Instruction, communication from, 1905-date, 

1 drawer in the filing cabinet. 
Superintendent's Requisitions, register of, 1889-date, 5 v. 
Teacher's Contracts, current, 1 f.b. 
Teachers, notices of employment of. current. 2 f.l). 
Teachers' Reports, 1877-date, 1 v. 
Trustees, oaths of office of, 1 p.h. in old c(»urtbouse. 
Trustees, register of school. 188()-1890. 1910-(lat('. 2 v. 
Trustees, certificates of election. 1906-date. 4 f.b. 
Trustees' Reports, 2 ]>.h. in old coui-thousc. 
Warrants, register of School. 1S73-1SS9. 2 \'. : Stul) l»o(tks, 175 in old 

courthouse. 



64 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 



ARCHIVES OP THE AUDITOR. 

Assessment Eolls : "Tax List," 1853-1854, 1 v. in attic; "List of Tax- 
able Inhabitants," 1854, 1 v. in the clerk's office; "Assessment Roll 

and Military Tax," 1855, 1 v., in the clerk '.s office; Asse.ssment rolls, 

1855, 1866, 1877, 3 v., also in the clerk's office ; 1860, 1862-date, 85 v. ; 

Index to assessment rolls, 1881-1890, in attic ; 50 v. in main office. 
Assessment Rolls, delinciuent, 1872-date, 43 v.; "List of Property Tax 

Unpaid, ' ' 1 858-1 860. 3 v.. in clerk 's office. 
Assessment Rolls, duplicate, 1872-1884. 26 v.. in attic; 1864, 1 v., in 

clerk's office. 
Assessment Roll, personal property, 1896-date, 19 v. 
Auditor's Account Books; 1872, 1 v. in clerk's office; 1883-1891, 2 v.; 

Accounts with sheriff and assessor, 1853-1858, 1 v., in clerk's office; 

Accounts with treasurer, 1858-1868, 1 v.. also in the clerk's office. 
Auditor's Ledger. 1859-1875. 2 v. (A-B) ; 1880-1887. 1 v. (D). 
Auditor's Register of Accounts. 1870-1880, 2 v. (A-B) in clerk's office. 
Cash Book, 1897-1905. 1 v., in clerk's office. 
Certificates Filed and Warrants Drawn, 1853-1859, 1 v. in attic; 

1859-1871, 1 V. in clerk's office. 
Dependents Outside Institutions, abstract of, 1913-date, 1 v. 
File of Miscellaneous papers, bills, etc., 70 f.b. 
Financial Statements of County Officers, 20 f.b. 
Indigent Account, 1896-1908, 'l v.; Monthly allowance record. 1907- 

date, 1 V. 
Land Pa^anents, record of, 1885-1906, 1 v. 
liieenses," 1889-date. 2 v. (1-2) ; Licenses issued. 1883-1897, 3 v. (2-4), 

in attic. 
Licenses Received from State Controller, 1855-1860, 1 v. in clerk's office, 
liicense Tax Collector's Reports, 1878-1899, 1 v. in old courthouse. 
]\Iiseellaneous Papers; old warrants, accounts allowed, tax receipts, etc., 

17 boxes in old courthouse. 
Orplians' Claim Record, 1907-date, 2 v. 
Orplums and Half-Orphans on State Aid, 1907-date, 2 v. 
Poll Mud Military Tax Lists, 1883-date, 32 v. 
R(H'('i])ts, 1858-?. one large p.h. in old courthouse; Orders and rccoiiits, 

stul) book. 1888-1890, also in old courthouse, 
licports. 1854-1892, one large p.h. in old courthouse; 1870-1875, 1 v., 

in attic. 
School District Accounts, 1880-1898, 3 v. ; School ledger, 1899-date, 2 v. 
School District A.ssessment Rolls, 1871-1873. 2 v. 
School Land Warrants, index to, 1853-1856, 1 v. 
School Warrants, register of, 1 908-date. 2 v. ; Cancelled warrants, 1908- 

1911. 10 bdls. in old courthouse; 1912-date. several bdls. 
Sheriff's Fee Book. 1897-1901, 3 v. (2-4). 

Swamp Lands, record of receipts on. 1858-1863, 1 v.. in the clerk's office. 
Tax Sales, certificates of, 1885-1892, 3 large p.h. in the old courthouse. 
Tax Sales, record of, 1872-1910, 20 v. (1-20) ; Index. 2 v. 
Tax Collector's Receipts from Licenses, 1875-1881, 1 v. in the clerk's 

office. 
Trea.surer in Account Avith the Auditor. 1853-1856. in the clerk's office 

in a book, "Certificates of Election," 1-20. 



HUMBOLDT COUNTY. 65 

Treasurer's cash book, 1860-1893, 8 v. (A-H) ; 1896-date, 7 v. (1-7). 

Treasurer's reports, 1859-1888, 1866-1870, 1899-1905, 3 v. in the old 
courthouse. 

Warrants, register of, 1 v. (A) ; 1871-1874, 1909-date, 7 v. (B, D, J-N). 

Warrants redeemed, 1853-1858, 1 v. in clerk's office; Stub books, 1904- 
date, about 20 v. ; Stub books of court warrants, about 30 in old court- 
house. 

ARCHIVES OF THE TREASURER. 

Account book, general, 1853-1856, 1 v. ; Miscellaneous aeeounts, 1890- 

date, 1 V. 
Apportiounient of Funds, 1899-date, file. 
J:>ond.s of HuHiboldt (bounty, record of, 1893, 1 v. 
Cash Book, 1859-1895, 21 v. in old series; 1895-1908, 8 v. (A-II) ; 

1908-date, 4 v. (1-4). 
Day Book, 1853-date, 10 v. (1-10). 
Depository Register, 1910-date, 1 v. 

A record of county money deposited iu banks. 

Inheritance Tax Receipts, 1897-date, 4 v., stub books. 
Ledger, 1853-1856, 1 v. (1) ; 1867-date, 6 v. (A-F). 
License and Poll Tax Accounts, 1868-1885, 1 v. 
Miscellaneous papers, one drawer. 

These consist of auditor's receipts ; cancelled bonds ; school apportion- 
ments, 1868-1890; rates of taxation, 1867-1882; Report of Klamath 
County Commissioners ; etc. 

Public School Teachers' Permanent Fund Record, 1914-date, 1 v. 

Road Warrant Register, 1876-1909, 5 v., scattering. 

School District Accounts, 1874-1891, 4 v. (A-D) ; Transfers ordered by 

supervisors and superintendent of schools, 1886-date, filed. 
School Warrants, 1889-1894, 1 v. ; 1909, 1 v. (F). 
State Lands, Record of, 1858-1867, 1 v. 

This .2;ives the number of the location, name of the purchaser, class of 
land (school, swamp and overflowed, etc.), township and section, num- 
ber of acres, date of location, and record of payments. 

Warrants Registered, 1858-1874, 2 v.; 1874-1891, 4 v. (B-E) ; 1891- 
1911, 8 V. (A-H). 

ARCHIVES OP THE ASSESSOR. 

Assessment Statements, 1859-1899, 333 large p.h. in the old courthouse; 
1900-date, in p.h. in main office. 

These arc the signed statements of the property owners, arranged by 
townships and years. 

Lands Sold in Humboldt County, abstract of, 1871-1888, on large 
unbound sheets in the old courthouse. 

These lists show whether the land was sold under the law governing cash 
sales, homesteads. preemi)tions. swamp and overflowed lands, etc. 
They also give name of purchaser, section and township, and acreage. 

Mortgages, abstract of, 1871-1883, 1 v. ; 1880, 1882, 2 v. in the recorder's 
office; 25 other vols, in the old courthouse. 



66 REPORT OP HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

xMortgages, record of, 1888-1910, 1 v. 

Poll Tax Books, 1910-1914, several books; there are also about 130 of 

these books iu the old courthouse and some in the attic ; Receipt books, 

several in the attic ; Stub-books, for several years. 
Poll Tax Lists, 1864^1870, 1875, 8 v. in the old courthouse. 

These are alphabetical lists of persons who have paid their poll tax, 

Keal Estate Record, n.d., 1 v., in clerk's office. 

Shows alphabetical list of land owners with location of their lands. 

State Land Office, returns from, 1875-date. 

These are on large sheets, sivin.i; the iiaiiic of lln' i>unliascr with a 
description of the land. Before 31MJ2 tiiey are in a large roll; since 
then, folded by years. 

Transfer book, 1881-1884, 1886, 1888-date, annual volumes. 
United States Land Office, "Record of Final Proofs," 1903-date. 
Taken from the record of patents in the land office. 

Maps and Plats. 

Maps of Property Holders, current, 7 v., also a number of maps, mostly 
town properties, on sliding boards. 

Plat Books of Eureka, 3 v., about 1869 or 1870 and 1880 in old court- 
house; Map of Eureka, 1881, showing location of propert}^ owners, 
scale 160 ft. to inch; another on some scale about 1890. 

Special Properties, maps of, recent. 

Several miscellaneous maps of special properties such as railroads, lum- 
ber companies, etc. In the case of the latter the areas cut off during 
each year are indicated on the map. 

School Districts, map of, current. 
Trinidad, map of, n.d. 

ARCHIVES OP THE TAX COLLECTOR. 

Assessment Rolls, current. 

Cash Book of Tax Collector, 1881-1883 ; 1891-date, 26 v. 
Delinquent Tax Cash Book. 1881-1891, scattering, 7 v. 
Licenses, Cash Account of, 1897-date, 2 v. (5-6). 
Licenses Collected, ledger of, 1885-date, 7 v. (3-9). 
Tax Sales, record of, 1873-1894, 4 v. (A, 1-3). 



SAN FRANCISCO COUNTV. 67 

CITY AND COUNTY OF SAN FRANCISCO. 

Archives of the Recorder. 

Pre-Statehood Records, 1838-1850.* 

Mexican Period, with later records in Spanish. 

1. "Spanish Keeords, Liber 1," Nov. 26, 1838-May 23, 1851. 1 v., 

44 pp., 9x15 in. Indexed. 

Copy and transkition of part in No. 16, pp. 243-302. 

2. "Spanish Blotter, B," [May 1, 1839-August, 1846. J 12 pp., 7.Lx 

12. In paper covers, badly worn; tied in canvas boards. 

3. Copy of same ; 32 photographs. 2 v., 10^x13 in. 

4. Duplicate of No. 3. 

5. Copy with translation (Dec. 10, 1849), labeled, "Spanish 

Record, B," 32 pp., 9|xl5 in. 
Copy ancl translation in No. 16, pp. 304-325. 
Copy in No. 17, pp. 75-88. 

6. "Blotter of Official Notes of Feo. Guerrero, while Alcalde at dif- 

ferent times, 1839, 1840, 1841, 1842, 1843." May 15, 1839- 
Oct. 5, 1843. 22 pp., 8x12. Bound in pasteboards and tied in 
canvas-leather binder. 

Copv in No. 17, pp. 1-73. 

7. "Original Grants, A," Nov. 12, 1839-Apr. 30, 1847. 367 pp., 

7^x12 in. 

Inside title, "Land Records witli titles to lots in the town of Yerba 
Buena." The early records are Spanish, later ones English. In this 
copy the first page is missing. 

8. Cert, copy (1864), 367 pp., 9x15 in. 

9. Index to original grants, Oct., 1846-April, 1850. 275 pp., 8|x 

15 in. 

10. Copy, 626 pp., mxl7 in. 

11. "Blotter of Official Notes . . . from the Alcalde of San Fran- 

cisco, 1846." Mar. 5, 1846-June 15, 1846. 18 pp., 8^x12 in. 
Tied in canvas boards. 

Copy in No. 17, pp. 91-118. 

12. "Spanish Records, Liber A." Los Angeles, Jidy 29, 1846- 

Jan. 14, 1850. 70 pp., 7^x13 in. 

13. Copy, 37 pp., 7|xl3. Pages 1-58 of No. 12. 
Copy and transhition in No. 16, pp. 1-86. 

14. "Transfer of Deeds. Liber A," for Register of Deeds of Sale, Dist. 

of San Francisco. Oct. 10, 1846-Jan. 7, 1848. 347 pp., 7^x 
12^. Reverse is "Record of title to lots under Mexico, Entry 
No. 1, grant to Hudson Bay Co., Sept. 9, 1841." 81 pages, 
partly used. 

15. Cert, copy, "Transfer Deeds A." 348 pp., 9.^x15 in. Reverse 

21 pp., 9^x15 in. 

16. "Spanish Records — Translation and Index." 362 pp., 10x16^ in. 

Copies and translations of following documents: 

pp. 1-86. "Bk. A of Spa nisi I Records" (No. 12) ; 
pp. 88-122, "Bk. B of Span. Records" (No. 22) ; 

•These records are here listed chronologically, each volume being assigned a serial 
number. 



68 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION, 

pp. 12-^^-240, "Lib. A of Original Grants" (in Spanish) 
(No. 7) ; 

pp. 243-302, "Lib. 1, Span. Records." Copy and trans- 
lation. Not all of original. (No. 1) ; 

pp. 304-325, "Spanish Blotter, B." (No. 2) ; 

pp. 326-371, "Transfer Deeds, A." Not, however, a copy 
of No. 14, as the entries are for earlier dates, Jan. 21, 
1844-May 18, 1846. (Recorded in 1853.) 

17. "Official notes— Spanish Blotter, B, Transfer Deeds, Investiga- 

tion, Index A B C, Release Deeds." 229 pp., 11^x17 in. 
Originals copied in good hand, but neither certified to nor trans- 
lated. Contents are as follows: 

pp. 1-73, Blotter of official notes of Fr'eo Guerrero, while 

Alcalde. (No. 6) ; 
pp. 75-88, Spanish Blotter, B. (No. 2) ; 
pp. 91-118, Blotter of official notes . . . 1846 (No. 11) ; 
pp. 121-126, Investigation of a complaint made by Rosa 

Archuleta vs. Francisco Rocliin, her hasband, 1846. 
pp. 128-137, Miscellaneous transfer deeds and district 

deeds. Book B, "O.K.". (No. 19) ; 
pp. 138-229. Inclex to Books A, B and C of transfer deeds, 

1846, 1847, 1848, 1849.. (No. 20). 

Early American Period. 

18. "Ledger of Alcalde," Aug. 15, 1846-Sept. 27, 1847; 33 pp., 8x13. 

Very good, as it gives account of all moneys handled, with names and 
reasons for transfer; also notes justifying action. First page has copy 
of letter from Stockton authorizing use of public money. 

19. Miscellaneous Transfer Deeds and District Deeds, Book B, 

"O.K." Nov. 29, 1847-July 5, 1848. 11 pp., 8x12 in. Bound 
in canvas-leather boards. Contains also the following : 

4 pp.. Index to Original Grants (No. 9) ; 
8 pp. Jusgado do las Constitutional del P. de San Jose de 
Guadeloupe. Ano de 1846. 

20. Index Book, A, B, C of Transfer Deeds and Release Deeds, 1846- 

7-8. 25 pp., 8x13, bound in pasteboards, tied in canvas-leather 
cover. 

21. Miscellaneous, 1846. Two marriage entries, remainder an index 

to lot holders in San Francisco, No. 1-715. 200 pp., 8x13. 

22. Spanish Record, B. Feb. 9, 1847-Apr. 30, 1850. In Spanish. 

33 pp., 8x13. 

23. Copy, 33 pp., 9.1x15. 
Copv in No. 16, pp. 88-122. 

24. "Brand Book, No. 1," June, 1847-Jan. 16, 1901. 32 entries. 

19 pp., 7^x13 in. 

25. "Water lots, B," July-Sept. 14, 1847. 181 pp., 7^xll| in. 

Leather. 

Lots sold at auction bv Alcalde Hyde, under grant of Gov. Kearney 
(Monterey, Mar. 10, 1847). 



SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY. 69 

26. Cert, copy (Mar. 10, 1863), 182 pp., 9x15 in. 

27. Water Lots, B-C, Sept. 20-Dec. 7, 18-17. 320 pp., 7^x11*. 

28. Cert, copy (Mar. 10. 1863). 333 pp., 9x15 in. 

29. Copy. 320 pp. Ontsidc title, "Records." 

30. Original Grants, B, Aug. 31, 1847-Oct. 15, 1849. 80 pp., 7^x 

12^ in. 

31. Cert, copy (April, 1863). Good [x'liinanship. SO i)[)., 9JyX 
151 in. " 

32. :\Iiseellaneous, AA, Sept. 6. 1847-Jan. 18, 1851. 172 pp. 8x 

15 in. 

33. "District Record, Liber B, DR.," Nov. 29, 1847-Ang. 12, 1849. 

75 pp., 9x14 in. Land records. 

34. Cert, copy (1864), 75 pp.. 9x15. 

35. Transfer Deeds, Book B, Feb. 1-Sept. 9, 1848. 217 pp., 7x15 in. 

In back are lA pp. of "Notes ou California" by Alcalde IIy(l(>. 

36. Copy, 216 pp., 8x14 in. (Outside title, "Records. ") 

37. Copy, 217 pp., 9x15 in. Good penmanship. 

38. "Land titles, C." Sept. 18, 1848-Apr. 6, 1849. 371 pp., lOx 

15 in. Evidently a continuation of "Transfer Deeds, B." 

39. IMiscellaneous Records, 2, Dec. 13, 1848-June 25, 1849. Mostly 

preemptions, etc. 71 pp., 9x13 in. 

40. Miscellaneous, 1849, Mav 5-Dee. 6, 1849. 36 pp., 9x15 in. 

41. :\Iiscellaneoiis, BB, June 8, 1849-May 7, 1850. 221 pp., 8x14 in. 

Indexed. 

42. Copy, 221 pp., 8x13 in. (Outside title, "Records.") 

43. District Record, Blotter B. 63 pp., 7|xl2 in. Paper cover 

bound in canvas-leather cover. Sale of lots, July, 1849. 

44. Copy, 63 pp., 11x18 in. 

45. Almond Records, Liber A, Oct. 8, 1849-Feb. 1, 1850. 338 pp., 

7^x12 in. 

A set of miscellaneous records, the most of which were kept by W. B. 
Almond, Judge of First Instance. 

46. Copy, 338 pp., 8x13 in. 

47. Almond Records, B, Dee. 21, 1849-Apr. 13, 1850. 317 pp., l^x 

12 in. With index. 

48. Copv, 317 pp., 8x13 in. 

49. Sat [isf action of] Mort [gages], A, Oct. 8, 1849-Jan. 24. 1852. 

292 pp., 8x12 in. Indexed. 

Alcalde Deeds. 5 v. in printed forms, as follows : 
50-1. 50-vara lots, Nov.-Dec., 1849. 2 v. 250 pp., 74x9 in. 
52. 100-vara lots, Dec, 1849. Deeds. 171-240. 200 pp., 7Jrx9 in. 

53-4. Water Lots, Jan., 1850. 2 v., 200 pp., 8x10 in. 

"Certified Grants," certified transcripts of Alcalde Deeds, 
5v. (I-V). 
55. Vol. I. 100-vara lots, 1-305 ; 

56-7. Vol. II-TTI, 50-vara lots. 9-699 ; 700-1439 : 
58-9. Vol. IV-V, AVater Lots, 1-444 ; 400-771. 
60. Mission Book Ledger, Jan. 5, 1850-Sept. 27, 1850. 150 pp.. 9x15 in. 

Record of pre-emption (squatter's) claims in S. F. 



70 REPORT OF HISTORICAL SURVEY COMMISSION. 

Later Records. 1850-date. 

Assignments of Mortgages, Apr. 4, 1906-date, 9 v. (1-9) ; Index, 1 v. 

(1). 
Attachments, Sept. 5, 1850-Julv 18, 1856, 1 v. (1), in the vault; Mar. 

28, 1906-date, 17 v. (1-17) ; Index, 2 v. (1-2). 
Architects, July 16, 1906-date, 1 v. (1) ■ Index, 1 v. (1). 
Building Contracts, index to, 1906-date, 6 v. (1-6). 
Building Costs, record of, c. 1880, 1 v. in the vault. 

This is a record probably prepared to estimate the value of the improve- 
ments on property condemned by the city. It has no date, but 
probably belongs to the 'SOs. 

Cash Books, 1906-1914, in basement ; 191-4-date, 2 v. 
Certificates of Sale, Apr. 6, 1906-date, 4 v. (1-4) ; Index, 2 v. (1-2). 
Covenants, Apr. 3, 1906-date, 52 v. (1-52) ; Index, 5 v. (1-5). 
Deeds, May 31, 1849-Aug. 26, 1850, 11 v. (A-B, D-H, K-N). 

These do not form a chronological series as several books were kept open 
at the same time. The earliest entrv is in "D," while the latest is 
in "A." 

Deeds, Aug. 28, 1850-Julv 27, 1854, v. (1-39) ; Feb. 19, 1859-Feb. 9, 
1860, V. (91-98) ; Aug. 24, 1861-Feb. 11, 1864, 84 v. (141-223, 226); 
Sept. 18, 1894-Sept. 20, 1895, 31 v. (1627-1657) ; June 14, 1895-Aug. 
19, 1898, 42 v.. (1659-1700); July 20, 1897-Sept. 22, 1898, 41 v. 
(1746-1786) ; June 30, 1898-April 3, 1906, 394 v. (1788-2136. 2138- 
2166, 2168-2176, 2178-2179, 2181-2182, 2184-2186) ; Index, 71 v. (1, 
2, 28, 39-43, 87-149). 

These books, covering the period before the fire of 190G, are considered 
the old series. 

Deeds, April 3, 1906-date, 960 v. (1-960) ; Index, 70 v. (1-35). 

These records, which constitute the new series, are seen to begin with 
the unentered documents in the possession of the recorder at the time 
of the fire of April IS. 1900. All the i)ublic records for April 12, 13, 
14 and 10 were destroyed, those of the 17th were saved. 

Decrees of Distribution, index, 1906-date, 2 v. (1-2). 
The decrees are recorded with Deeds. 

Documents Recorded, record of number of. 1862-1863, 1876-1877, 1882- 
1884, 1 v., 30 pp. 

Franchises. Sept. 2, 1909-date, 1 v. (1). 

General Index, May, 1850-1913, 296 v. (1-296) ; 1913-1915, 30 v. 
(1-30) ; 1916, 30 v. (1-30). 

Homesteads, Apr. 3, 1906-date, 10 v. (1-10) ; Index, 1 v: (1). 

Leases, Apr. 4, 1906-date, 61 v. (1-61) ; Index, 4 v. (1^). 

Licensed Surveyors, state, 1891-date, 1 v. (1). 

Lis Pendens, Apr. 2, 1906-date, 109 v. (1-109) ; Index to notices of 
action — general, 3 v. (1-3) ; — to quiet title. 6 v. (2-7). 

Marriage Certificates, Mav 2, 1906-date, 22 v. (1-22) ; Index, July, 
1904-April, 1906, 2 v.; April, 1906-date, 1 v. (1). 

Marriage License Books, April 17, 1906-date, 140 v. (1-140). 

Marriage Licenses delivered, 1914-date, 2 v. (1-2). 

Maps and Plats: Block books of titles acquired by land owners' affi- 
davits, 14 V. ; Block books of titles by lis pendens, 16 v. ; Block books 
of assessor, 1915, 23 v., photograph copies of the original 41 vols. ; 
Block book, 1871 ; Laguna survey, 1889, certified copy. Licensed sur- 



SAN FRANCISCO COUNTY. 71 

veyors' plats, 1908-date, 1 v. (1). Maps of street extension and 
improvement : Stockton Street tunnel, 1912, a map book, with list of 
property owners affected, benefited, etc., with area of property ; Twin 
Peaks tunnel, report of Board of Works on, Vol. Ill, being a map 
book ; Street extension maps for Arch, Beverly, Bixby, Bright, Monte- 
cello, Ralston, Ramsell, Vernon and Victoria streets, and Orizaba 
ave., dated July, 1914, and Vulcan st., November, 1914. Map Books, 
6 V. (1, 2 a-b, C-D, E-F, G, H), with two certified copies of "1" and 
"2," one certified copy of each of the others except "H." Maps of 
subdivisions on cloth, folded: Syndicate, West End, Homestead and 
Bernal Homestead Association, Dec, 1913 ; Excelsior Homestead, 
recorded Feb., 1914; Mission District, in part, Sept., 1914. Index to 
maps filed and recorded, 1853-1889, 1 v.; 1853-1912, 1 v.; 1853-dato, 
Iv. 

Mechanics' Liens, Apr. 3, 1906-date, 80 v. (1-80) ; Index, 4 v. (1^). 

Mining Locations, April 7, 1914, 1 v. (1), contains one entry. 

Miscellanv, April 2, 1906-date, 81 v. (1-81) ; Index, 10 v. (1-10). 

iMortgages, Nov. 8, 1895-Apr. 4, 1896, 1 v. (1136) ; April 3, 1906-date, 
460 V. (1-460), new series; Index, 1905-1906, 1 v. (62) ; Index, new 
series, 24 v. (1-24). 

Mortgages on Personal Propertv, Mav. 31. 1906-date. 95 v. (1-95) ; 
Index. 4 v. (1-4). 

[Official] Bonds, Apr. 10, 1906-date, 3 v. (1-3) ; Index, 1 v. (1). 

Ownership, notices of, May 13, 1907-date, 11 v. (1-11) ; Index, 1 v. (1). 

Under act of Mar. 23. 1907. 

Papers on File, index to, ]\Iar. 1, 1899-1902. 26 v. ; 1902-1904, 28 v., 

building contracts only ; 1904-1906, 30 v. 
Patents, Aug. 1, 1906-Mar. 24, 1910, 1 v. (1), in vault. 
Powers of Attorney, April 6, 1906-date, 11 v. (1-11) ; Index, 1 v. (1). 
Releases of Mortgages, Apr. 4, 1906-date, 88 v. (1-88) ; Index, Dec, 

1905-Mar. 30, 1906, 1 v. (39) ; new series, 16 v. (1-16). 
Releases of Mortgages on Personal Property, Index to, 1 v. (1). 
Residence, certificates of, Apr. 19. 1907-date, 1 v. (1) ; Inde^, 1 v. (1). 
Separate Propertv of Wives, Feb. 13. 1907-date, 1 v. (1) ; Index. 1 v. 

(1). 
Sole Traders Declarations, Sept., 1909-date, 1 v. (1). 
Special ("Limited") Partnerships, Aug. 8, 1906-date, 1 v. (1) ; Index, 

Iv. (1). 
Street Assessment Bonds, Oct. 22, 1914-date, 1 v., loose-leafed. 
Tax Deeds, July 12, 1906-date, 6 v. (1-6) ; Index, 1 v. (1). 
Transcript of Judgments, Apr. 4, 1906-date. 4 v. (1-4) ; Index. 2 v. 

(1-2). 
Torrens Act records: Certificates of title. 1908-date, 1 v., containing but 

eight entries; Record of particulars and receipts for certificates issued, 

1 v. ; Name index, 1 v. (1) ; Property index, 1 v. (1). 
Tunnel agreements: Stockton street, [Mar. 14, 1913, 1 v. ; Twin Peaks, 

May 19, 1914, 20 v. (1-20). 
Water, notices of appropriation of, Aug. 13, 1913, 1 v. (1), containing 

but one entry. 
Wills Admitted to Probate, Apr. 19. 1907-date. 1 v. (1) ; Index. 1 v. (1). 



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